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Fresh snow brings travel problems Fresh snow brings travel problems
(40 minutes later)
More snowfall in parts of England and Wales has brought fresh travel disruption and school closures. More snowfall across parts of the UK has brought fresh travel disruption and school closures to thousands.
The M4, particularly around Bristol and Swindon, the M5 and the M1 in the south Midlands are badly affected.The M4, particularly around Bristol and Swindon, the M5 and the M1 in the south Midlands are badly affected.
Runways at Aberdeen, Luton, Belfast City and East Midlands airports are shut, 550 Welsh schools are closed and Bristol's public transport is hit.Runways at Aberdeen, Luton, Belfast City and East Midlands airports are shut, 550 Welsh schools are closed and Bristol's public transport is hit.
There are several severe weather warnings in place and councils say they are running low on gritting salt.There are several severe weather warnings in place and councils say they are running low on gritting salt.
'Exceptionally cold'
The Met Office has issued a number of severe weather warnings for heavy snow in much of southern and central England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.The Met Office has issued a number of severe weather warnings for heavy snow in much of southern and central England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Some 20cm (7.9in) of snow has been reported in Aberdeenshire and in parts of the Cotswolds. SNOW DEPTHS Cotswolds: 7.9in (20cm)Salisbury Plains: 4.7in (12cm)Oxfordshire: 3.9in (10cm)Chilterns: 3.9in (10cm)Bristol: 3.9in (10cm)Midlands: 4.7in (12cm) Source: BBC Weather Centre, 0800 GMTSome 20cm (7.9in) of snow has been reported in Aberdeenshire and in parts of the Cotswolds. SNOW DEPTHS Cotswolds: 7.9in (20cm)Salisbury Plains: 4.7in (12cm)Oxfordshire: 3.9in (10cm)Chilterns: 3.9in (10cm)Bristol: 3.9in (10cm)Midlands: 4.7in (12cm) Source: BBC Weather Centre, 0800 GMT
The heaviest snow was reportedly falling in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, while large snowfall has been reported in Northern Ireland, which has seen 3.9in (10cm) in some parts, and Greater Manchester.The heaviest snow was reportedly falling in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, while large snowfall has been reported in Northern Ireland, which has seen 3.9in (10cm) in some parts, and Greater Manchester.
Matt Taylor of the BBC Weather Centre said snow could affect almost anywhere in the UK outside of the country's south-eastern tip, and warned that icy conditions would be widespread on Friday.Matt Taylor of the BBC Weather Centre said snow could affect almost anywhere in the UK outside of the country's south-eastern tip, and warned that icy conditions would be widespread on Friday.
Salt shortages
Snow is forecast to gradually become lighter during Thursday as the band of bad weather moves north, but very little of the existing snow cover is expected to melt.Snow is forecast to gradually become lighter during Thursday as the band of bad weather moves north, but very little of the existing snow cover is expected to melt.
Some councils have just three days' worth of grit left after supplies were "massively" depleted by the heavy snow, the Local Government Association (LGA) admitted. Worcestershire County Council are not gritting roads but sending out snow ploughs. Some councils have just three days' worth of grit left after supplies were "massively" depleted by the heavy snow, the Local Government Association (LGA) admitted. Worcestershire County Council is not gritting roads but sending out snow ploughs.
Country Councils in Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Ceredigion as well as Swindon borough council have confirmed that they are running low on salt and are only salting main routes.
Hertfordshire County Council said it was seeking additional supplies from abroad, while Cumbria County Council said it could over-spend its winter maintenance budget by £1.3m.
Derek Turner, Director of Networks Operations at the Highways Agency, said it had "three, four days of salt supplies remaining". FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeDerek Turner, Director of Networks Operations at the Highways Agency, said it had "three, four days of salt supplies remaining". FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
Paul Bettison of the LGA told the BBC's Today programme that the UK should look to importing fresh supplies of salt.Paul Bettison of the LGA told the BBC's Today programme that the UK should look to importing fresh supplies of salt.
"That requires government to actually work with us all, and then we can do it as one - rather than, as we've seen, having this scrapping for what limited supplies are available.""That requires government to actually work with us all, and then we can do it as one - rather than, as we've seen, having this scrapping for what limited supplies are available."
The AA said the question of which roads would be gritted was a "lottery", adding: "In some areas 40% of roads are gritted, some 25% and indeed some just 20%."The AA said the question of which roads would be gritted was a "lottery", adding: "In some areas 40% of roads are gritted, some 25% and indeed some just 20%."
A spokesman for the Highways Agency has advised drivers to take extreme care and not to travel in the worst affected areas unless it is essential.A spokesman for the Highways Agency has advised drivers to take extreme care and not to travel in the worst affected areas unless it is essential.
Travel chaosTravel chaos
The Great Western Ambulance Service has brought in 4x4 vehicles to try to maintain their services. The East of England Ambulance Service has asked people to call 999 only in an emergency. KEY LINKS BAATransport for LondonNational Rail EnquiriesBBC WeatherHighways AgencySchool closures in WalesThe Great Western Ambulance Service has brought in 4x4 vehicles to try to maintain their services. The East of England Ambulance Service has asked people to call 999 only in an emergency. KEY LINKS BAATransport for LondonNational Rail EnquiriesBBC WeatherHighways AgencySchool closures in Wales
Travel disruption across the country has included:
  • The M4 was the worst-affected route with much of the snow lying and lanes closed. Conditions on the M5 around Birmingham are reported to be deteriorating, and the M1, M3, M11 and M40 are also affected. Lorry drivers have been urged to stay off the roads in Northamptonshire
  • The A9 has closed between Aviemore and Inverness, and Grampian Police advised drivers they should only venture out on essential journeys in the Moray area
  • The National Rail Enquiries website is reporting disruption to First Great Western and London Midland services
  • There are at least 10 cancellations on the National Express East Coast line and more on Virgin Trains between London Euston and Birmingham
  • Trains are not running on the Severn Beach line near Bristol and First, Wessex and South Gloucestershire bus services are also currently suspended around the city Traffic ground to a halt at Rothwell junction near Kettering (pic: reader James Bishop)
  • Arriva bus services are suspended in Aylesbury, Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead, Milton Keynes and Luton
  • The runways at Aberdeen, Luton and East Midlands airports have been closed. Birmingham and Cardiff Wales airports have reopened, but flights have been delayed.
  • At Luton, check-in has been suspended and flights are subject to delay and cancellation. Flights were cancelled at Belfast City Airport, with planes diverted to Belfast International Airport.
 Travel disruption across the country has included:
  • The M4 was the worst-affected route with much of the snow lying and lanes closed. Conditions on the M5 around Birmingham are reported to be deteriorating, and the M1, M3, M11 and M40 are also affected. Lorry drivers have been urged to stay off the roads in Northamptonshire
  • The A9 has closed between Aviemore and Inverness, and Grampian Police advised drivers they should only venture out on essential journeys in the Moray area
  • The National Rail Enquiries website is reporting disruption to First Great Western and London Midland services
  • There are at least 10 cancellations on the National Express East Coast line and more on Virgin Trains between London Euston and Birmingham
  • Trains are not running on the Severn Beach line near Bristol and First, Wessex and South Gloucestershire bus services are also currently suspended around the city Traffic ground to a halt at Rothwell junction near Kettering (pic: reader James Bishop)
  • Arriva bus services are suspended in Aylesbury, Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead, Milton Keynes and Luton
  • The runways at Aberdeen, Luton and East Midlands airports have been closed. Birmingham and Cardiff Wales airports have reopened, but flights have been delayed.
  • At Luton, check-in has been suspended and flights are subject to delay and cancellation. Flights were cancelled at Belfast City Airport, with planes diverted to Belfast International Airport.
School closuresSchool closures
Thousands of pupils will again stay at home as schools across the UK closed their doors on Thursday.Thousands of pupils will again stay at home as schools across the UK closed their doors on Thursday.
Some 550 in Wales have already said that they will shut, while other closures have been reported in Abderdeenshire, Moray, Birmingham, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Coventry, Warwickshire, Hertfordshire, and Oxfordshire. Some 550 in Wales have already said that they will shut, while other closures have been reported in Aberdeenshire, Moray, Birmingham, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Sheffield, Rotherham, Coventry, Warwickshire, Hertfordshire, and Oxfordshire.
Devon, Bristol, Shropshire, Somerset, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Solihull, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire and Norfolk have also reported school closures.Devon, Bristol, Shropshire, Somerset, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Solihull, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire and Norfolk have also reported school closures.
A walker has died after falling over 100 feet in icy conditions in the Lake District.A walker has died after falling over 100 feet in icy conditions in the Lake District.
The man is believed to have slipped on ice on Pavey Ark in the Langdales near Ambleside. His body has been recovered by an RAF helicopter.The man is believed to have slipped on ice on Pavey Ark in the Langdales near Ambleside. His body has been recovered by an RAF helicopter.
Rescuers are preparing to search for two hill walkers reported missing on the Cairngorm Plateau in the Highlands at 2000 GMT on Wednesday. An RAF helicopter along with police and Cairngorms mountain rescue are expected to join the operation.Rescuers are preparing to search for two hill walkers reported missing on the Cairngorm Plateau in the Highlands at 2000 GMT on Wednesday. An RAF helicopter along with police and Cairngorms mountain rescue are expected to join the operation.