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Snow to bring further disruption Snow to bring further disruption
(40 minutes later)
Commuters face more disruption and hundreds of schools are to remain closed after the heaviest snowfalls in 18 years hit parts of the UK.Commuters face 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 was badly hit on Monday with delays on motorways and cancellations of trains and flights.South-east England was badly hit on Monday with delays on motorways and cancellations of trains and flights.
The snow is expected to move north, with the Pennines, north-east England, eastern Scotland and the Borders forecast to bear the brunt.The snow is expected to move north, with the Pennines, north-east England, 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.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for much of the UK. Liberal Democrat shadow transport secretary Norman Baker said it was "an absolute disgrace" the country's infrastructure was unable to cope with bad weather.
Snow driftsSnow drifts
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for much of the UK.
BBC Weather Centre's Alex Deakin said the Pennines could see up to 12 inches (30cm) of snow on Tuesday.BBC Weather Centre's Alex Deakin said the Pennines could see up to 12 inches (30cm) of snow on Tuesday.
Falls of up to eight inches are also possible in north-east England, eastern Scotland and the Borders.Falls of up to eight inches are also possible in north-east England, eastern Scotland and the Borders.
Strong winds could cause snow to drift in those areas, worsening the conditions.Strong winds could cause snow to drift in those areas, worsening the conditions.
Snow will also continue across south Wales and south-west England, and spread into Northern Ireland, our forecaster said. KEY LINKS BAALondon City AirportLuton AirportTransport for LondonNational Rail EnquiriesBBC WeatherSnow will also continue across south Wales and south-west England, and spread into Northern Ireland, our forecaster said. KEY LINKS BAALondon City AirportLuton AirportTransport for LondonNational Rail EnquiriesBBC Weather
More snow is likely in northern Scotland on Wednesday, he added.More snow is likely in northern Scotland on Wednesday, he added.
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, Bradford and the Borders, and all 403 state schools in Surrey. Dozens are also set to be closed in Leicestershire, Derby and Lincolnshire.They include all schools in Birmingham, Bradford and the Borders, and all 403 state schools in Surrey. Dozens are also set to be closed in Leicestershire, Derby and Lincolnshire.
On Tuesday morning, trains on the East Coast Mainline were disrupted, with at least nine rail services between London and Leeds cancelled.On Tuesday morning, trains on the East Coast Mainline 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 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 would 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 will resume.Services into London from Kent and Sussex will resume.
Eurostar services from St Pancras International are suffering from ongoing problems and all train passengers are advised to check National Rail Enquiries before setting out.Eurostar services from St Pancras International are suffering from ongoing problems and all train passengers are advised to check National Rail Enquiries before setting out.
At about 0500 GMT, Transport for London was predicting that most bus services in the capital would return to normal on Tuesday, having been suspended on Monday morning, but some routes may still have to be withdrawn because of poor road conditions.At about 0500 GMT, Transport for London was predicting that most bus services in the capital would return to normal on Tuesday, having been suspended on Monday morning, but some routes may still have to be withdrawn because of poor road conditions.
The Bakerloo line on the London Underground was also part suspended due to adverse weather. The Circle line on the London Underground was also suspended due to adverse weather, while the Bakerloo, District and Hammersmith and City lines were part suspended.
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, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen are also at risk of disruption.Flights at Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen are also at risk of disruption.
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.
Jenny Hart, of The Highways Agency, said 500 gritting lorries were being used to keep main routes open.Jenny Hart, of 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."
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 that on Monday, almost 6.5m people - a fifth of Britain's workforce - took the day off work as a result of the weather. It estimated almost 6.5m people - a fifth of Britain's workforce - did not come into 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.
Liberal Democrat shadow transport secretary Norman Baker said it was "an absolute disgrace" the country's infrastructure was unable to cope with bad weather. Liberal Democrat shadow transport secretary 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
"The lack of preparedness is astounding and damaging for the economy," he said.The Highways Agency said people should only take essential journeys
"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".
"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.
Sam Katz, the mayor of Winnipeg in Canada, a city used to heavy winter snowfalls, told the BBC he had a lot of sympathy for UK cities struggling to cope with the adverse conditions.Sam Katz, the mayor of Winnipeg in Canada, a city used to heavy winter snowfalls, told the BBC he had a lot of sympathy for UK cities struggling to cope with the adverse conditions.
"We are set up to expect snow... so we know how to deal with these types of situations and to keep things going," he said."We are set up to expect snow... so we know how to deal with these types of situations and to keep things going," he said.
"When you're in a city... or a country that... isn't set up for something to happen on a regular basis, it makes it much, much more difficult.""When you're in a city... or a country that... isn't set up for something to happen on a regular basis, it makes it much, much more difficult."
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, admitted that the capital was not equipped to deal with the unusually heavy snowfalls seen on Sunday night.The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, admitted that 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.