This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7866294.stm

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Snow to bring further disruption Snow to bring further disruption
(20 minutes later)
Travellers are facing more disruption and hundreds of schools are to remain closed after the heaviest snowfalls in 18 years hit parts of the UK.Travellers are facing more disruption and hundreds of schools are to remain closed after the heaviest snowfalls in 18 years hit parts of the UK.
South-east England has seen delays on roads and cancellations of trains and flights, while gritters have struggled to reach some areas in the Pennines.South-east England has seen delays on roads and cancellations of trains and flights, while gritters have struggled to reach some areas in the Pennines.
The snow is expected to move north, with eastern Scotland and the Borders forecast to bear the brunt.The snow is expected to move north, with eastern Scotland and the Borders forecast to bear the brunt.
Forecasters say ice could also make roads hazardous in southern England.Forecasters say ice could also make roads hazardous in southern England.
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said it was "an absolute disgrace" that the country's infrastructure was unable to cope with bad weather.Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said it was "an absolute disgrace" that the country's infrastructure was unable to cope with bad weather.
'Round two''Round two'
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for much of the UK.The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for much of the UK.
Although overnight snowfall in northern England was not as heavy as predicted, many minor roads have witnessed tailbacks and heavy disruption.Although overnight snowfall in northern England was not as heavy as predicted, many minor roads have witnessed tailbacks and heavy disruption.
Further snow has been predicted for northern Scotland on Wednesday.Further snow has been predicted for northern Scotland on Wednesday.
BBC weather forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said the south and south-west of the country would continue to see ice and scattered snow showers.BBC weather forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said the south and south-west of the country would continue to see ice and scattered snow showers.
He added that the entire country was likely to witness heavy frosts on Tuesday night, and there was a possibility that fresh snow could return at the end of the week.He added that the entire country was likely to witness heavy frosts on Tuesday night, and there was a possibility that fresh snow could return at the end of the week.
"There is a risk of round two," he said."There is a risk of round two," he said.
KEY LINKS BAALondon City AirportLuton AirportTransport for LondonNational Rail EnquiriesBBC WeatherKEY LINKS BAALondon City AirportLuton AirportTransport for LondonNational Rail EnquiriesBBC Weather
Dyfed-Powys police warned drivers to be vigilant after a man was killed in a crash in Sandy Bridge, Llanelli, at 2216 on Monday.Dyfed-Powys police warned drivers to be vigilant after a man was killed in a crash in Sandy Bridge, Llanelli, at 2216 on Monday.
More than 3,000 UK schools closed on Monday and a significant proportion are expected to remain shut for a second day.More than 3,000 UK schools closed on Monday and a significant proportion are expected to remain shut for a second day.
They include all schools in Birmingham, Dudley, Solihull, Bradford and the Scottish Borders, all 403 state schools in Surrey and more than 300 in Essex.They include all schools in Birmingham, Dudley, Solihull, Bradford and the Scottish Borders, all 403 state schools in Surrey and more than 300 in Essex.
Hundreds are also set to be closed across England in authorities including Leicestershire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Bristol, Wiltshire, Somerset, Shropshire, Cheshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire and London. Around 180 are closed in Wales.Hundreds are also set to be closed across England in authorities including Leicestershire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Bristol, Wiltshire, Somerset, Shropshire, Cheshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire and London. Around 180 are closed in Wales.
On Tuesday morning, trains on the East Coast Main Line were disrupted, with at least nine rail services between London and Leeds cancelled.On Tuesday morning, trains on the East Coast Main Line were disrupted, with at least nine rail services between London and Leeds cancelled.
A spokesman for Network Rail, which runs Britain's rail infrastructure, said there was be "a much better service" on commuter routes into London than on Monday, but passengers are still being advised not to travel on South West Trains.A spokesman for Network Rail, which runs Britain's rail infrastructure, said there was be "a much better service" on commuter routes into London than on Monday, but passengers are still being advised not to travel on South West Trains.
Services into London from Kent and Sussex are resuming.Services into London from Kent and Sussex are resuming.
Eurostar services from St Pancras International are still suffering disruption and all train passengers are advised to check with National Rail Enquiries before setting out.Eurostar services from St Pancras International are still suffering disruption and all train passengers are advised to check with National Rail Enquiries before setting out.
Transport for London commissioner Peter Hendy said that most bus services should run as normal today, but some routes might still have to be cancelled.Transport for London commissioner Peter Hendy said that most bus services should run as normal today, but some routes might still have to be cancelled.
The Circle line on the London Underground has been suspended owing to adverse weather, the Bakerloo, District and Hammersmith and City lines have been partly suspended, and other lines are experiencing delays.The Circle line on the London Underground has been suspended owing to adverse weather, the Bakerloo, District and Hammersmith and City lines have been partly suspended, and other lines are experiencing delays.
London City airport remains closed until further notice, while Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports are predicting a second day of "significant delays and cancellations". We've got enough grit to make sure that we can grit continuously for the next 12 days Jenny Hart, Highways AgencyLondon City airport remains closed until further notice, while Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports are predicting a second day of "significant delays and cancellations". We've got enough grit to make sure that we can grit continuously for the next 12 days Jenny Hart, Highways Agency
Flights at Southampton, Bristol, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen are also likely to be disrupted.Flights at Southampton, Bristol, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen are also likely to be disrupted.
British Airways said diversions on Monday meant many planes were not in the right places for their departures on Tuesday.British Airways said diversions on Monday meant many planes were not in the right places for their departures on Tuesday.
John Ransford, the chief executive of the Local Government Association, said councils would share salt to ensure roads across the country were properly gritted.
The Highways Agency is continuing to warn drivers not to travel unless their journey is essential.The Highways Agency is continuing to warn drivers not to travel unless their journey is essential.
Those who do venture out should be well prepared, it said.Those who do venture out should be well prepared, it said.
The number of car journeys made across its network on Monday evening was 31% down on normal levels, according to the agency. Tuesday's rush hour was 26.5% down on a normal morning.The number of car journeys made across its network on Monday evening was 31% down on normal levels, according to the agency. Tuesday's rush hour was 26.5% down on a normal morning.
The Highways Agency said 500 gritting lorries were being used to keep main routes open.The Highways Agency said 500 gritting lorries were being used to keep main routes open.
She said: "We're well prepared for everything that the snow throws at us at the moment. We've got enough grit to make sure that we can grit continuously for the next 12 days - that's 18,000 tonnes of grit just in Yorkshire alone."She said: "We're well prepared for everything that the snow throws at us at the moment. We've got enough grit to make sure that we can grit continuously for the next 12 days - that's 18,000 tonnes of grit just in Yorkshire alone."
All the main roads remain open in Scotland, which avoided the severe weather seen in England and Wales and saw temperatures mostly stay above freezing overnight.All the main roads remain open in Scotland, which avoided the severe weather seen in England and Wales and saw temperatures mostly stay above freezing overnight.
The Federation of Small Businesses has estimated that each day of disruption will cost the economy about £1.2bn.The Federation of Small Businesses has estimated that each day of disruption will cost the economy about £1.2bn.
It estimated almost 6.5m people - a fifth of Britain's workforce - stayed away from work on Monday as a result of the weather.It estimated almost 6.5m people - a fifth of Britain's workforce - stayed away from work on Monday as a result of the weather.
'Scapegoats''Scapegoats'
The extent of the disruption to the transport network has prompted some criticism of the UK's preparations for the snow.The extent of the disruption to the transport network has prompted some criticism of the UK's preparations for the snow.
BBC transport correspondent Tom Symonds said it was clear that local authorities did not have the resources to cope - but he said many experts believed it would not be worth the investment given the infrequency of such conditions.BBC transport correspondent Tom Symonds said it was clear that local authorities did not have the resources to cope - but he said many experts believed it would not be worth the investment given the infrequency of such conditions.
Liberal Democratspokesman Norman Baker said: "The lack of preparedness is astounding and damaging for the economy."London Mayor Boris Johnson admitted the capital was not equipped to deal with heavy snowLiberal Democratspokesman Norman Baker said: "The lack of preparedness is astounding and damaging for the economy."London Mayor Boris Johnson admitted the capital was not equipped to deal with heavy snow
"I have travelled from Stockholm to the Arctic Circle on a train that arrived five minutes early, yet Britain lapses into chaos at the first hint of snow.""I have travelled from Stockholm to the Arctic Circle on a train that arrived five minutes early, yet Britain lapses into chaos at the first hint of snow."
David Frost, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said the authorities had become "a bit too complacent" about the impact of snow, which he said had cost British businesses "a lot of money".David Frost, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said the authorities had become "a bit too complacent" about the impact of snow, which he said had cost British businesses "a lot of money".
"All the European channels were showing images of London at a complete standstill, which was not a very positive image for the UK," he told the BBC's Today programme."All the European channels were showing images of London at a complete standstill, which was not a very positive image for the UK," he told the BBC's Today programme.
But others defended the efforts that had been made.But others defended the efforts that had been made.
Paul Bettison, of the Local Government Association, said councils were being unfairly blamed for much of the disruption.Paul Bettison, of the Local Government Association, said councils were being unfairly blamed for much of the disruption.
"Other organisations that are affected by the snow appear to be using councils as a scapegoat for their own poor preparations for the weather," he said."Other organisations that are affected by the snow appear to be using councils as a scapegoat for their own poor preparations for the weather," he said.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, admitted the capital was not equipped to deal with the unusually heavy snowfalls seen on Sunday night.The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, admitted the capital was not equipped to deal with the unusually heavy snowfalls seen on Sunday night.
"This is the kind of snow we haven't seen in London in decades. We don't have the snow-ploughs that we would otherwise need to be sure of getting the roads free," he said."This is the kind of snow we haven't seen in London in decades. We don't have the snow-ploughs that we would otherwise need to be sure of getting the roads free," he said.
But he added it did not necessarily make sense to make a major investment in snow-ploughs if they were used only once every two decades.But he added it did not necessarily make sense to make a major investment in snow-ploughs if they were used only once every two decades.