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Snow causing further disruption Snow causing further disruption
(20 minutes later)
Parts of the UK are struggling with a second day of disruption following their heaviest snowfalls in 18 years, with over 4,500 schools still closed.Parts of the UK are struggling with a second day of disruption following their heaviest snowfalls in 18 years, with over 4,500 schools still closed.
Wales and the south west of England are currently bearing the brunt of the snow, which is expected to move north.Wales and the south west of England are currently bearing the brunt of the snow, which is expected to move north.
South-east England has seen disruption on roads and cancelled trains and flights, and gritters have struggled to reach some areas in the Pennines.South-east England has seen disruption on roads and cancelled trains and flights, and gritters have struggled to reach some areas in the Pennines.
Forecasters warned some areas could face fresh snow later in the week.Forecasters warned some areas could face fresh snow later in the week.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for much of the UK. Council leaders have admitted stocks of grit have been massively depleted, but say they are unlikely to run out as supplies are being continuously restocked.
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.
'Round two''Round two'
Snow is forecast for eastern Scotland and the Borders later as the front moves north, with further falls predicted for northern Scotland on Wednesday.Snow is forecast for eastern Scotland and the Borders later as the front moves north, with further falls 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.
KEY LINKS BAALondon City AirportLuton AirportTransport for LondonNational Rail EnquiriesBBC WeatherKEY LINKS BAALondon City AirportLuton AirportTransport for LondonNational Rail EnquiriesBBC Weather
He added that the entire country was likely to witness heavy frosts on Tuesday night, and there was a possibility that heavy snow showers 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 heavy snow showers 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.
More than 4,500 UK schools are shut, including 500 in Wales, 450 in Hampshire, 428 in Birmingham, 400 in Essex and 300 in Leicester and Rutland.More than 4,500 UK schools are shut, including 500 in Wales, 450 in Hampshire, 428 in Birmingham, 400 in Essex and 300 in Leicester and Rutland.
Authorities including East Sussex, West Sussex, Somerset, East Staffordshire, Dudley, and Kent have also shut schools.Authorities including East Sussex, West Sussex, Somerset, East Staffordshire, Dudley, and Kent have also shut schools.
In other developments:In other developments:
• Drivers in southern England have faced hazardous road conditions after Monday's snowfall turned to ice.• Drivers in southern England have faced hazardous road conditions after Monday's snowfall turned to ice.
• Two military rescue helicopters are assisting ambulance services in parts of Devon and Cornwall as roads became impassable following 10cm of snow in some areas.• Two military rescue helicopters are assisting ambulance services in parts of Devon and Cornwall as roads became impassable following 10cm of snow in some areas.
• 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.
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 would be "a much better service" on commuter routes 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 would be "a much better service" on commuter routes than on Monday, but passengers are still being advised not to travel on South West Trains.
LINKS TO OUR UK COVERAGE London: Fewer travel problemsScotland: Caution urgedWales: Roads and schools hitNI: Rail and air delaysSouth West: Roads blockedEast Anglia: Coldest lowSouth: More disruptionMap: UK snowfallLINKS TO OUR UK COVERAGE London: Fewer travel problemsScotland: Caution urgedWales: Roads and schools hitNI: Rail and air delaysSouth West: Roads blockedEast Anglia: Coldest lowSouth: More disruptionMap: UK snowfall
Services into London from Kent and Sussex have resumed.Services into London from Kent and Sussex have resumed.
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".London City airport remains closed until further notice, while Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports are predicting a second day of "significant delays and cancellations".
Flights at Bristol, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Southampton and Aberdeen are also likely to be disrupted.Flights at Bristol, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Southampton 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.
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.
We've got enough grit to make sure that we can grit continuously for the next 12 days Jenny Hart, Highways AgencyWe've got enough grit to make sure that we can grit continuously for the next 12 days Jenny Hart, Highways Agency
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.
An agency spokeswoman said 500 gritting lorries were being used to keep main routes open.An agency spokeswoman 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.
Stephen Alambritis, from the federation, said the UK should have been better prepared.Stephen Alambritis, from the federation, said the UK should have been better prepared.
He said: "One of the world's biggest economies should not be grinding to a halt, even if it is only once every 10 years."He said: "One of the world's biggest economies should not be grinding to a halt, even if it is only once every 10 years."
'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.
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.
Margaret Morrissey, of the Parents Outloud campaign group, said the decision to keep thousands of schools shut for a second day sent the wrong signals to children.Margaret Morrissey, of the Parents Outloud campaign group, said the decision to keep thousands of schools shut for a second day sent the wrong signals to children.
She added: "We are giving children the message that when things get difficult you should just stay at home and have fun."She added: "We are giving children the message that when things get difficult you should just stay at home and have fun."
The Schools Secretary, Ed Balls, said he understood the frustration of working parents but believed many will have welcomed an early decision on school closures:The Schools Secretary, Ed Balls, said he understood the frustration of working parents but believed many will have welcomed an early decision on school closures:
"Many parents, wanting to plan their arrangements for today, will be pleased to have certainty yesterday of what was going to happen today," he said."Many parents, wanting to plan their arrangements for today, will be pleased to have certainty yesterday of what was going to happen today," he said.