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Snow brings another day of chaos Snow brings another day of chaos
(30 minutes later)
Heavy snow has brought a fifth day of chaos to the UK, with severe weather warnings issued to much of the country.Heavy snow has brought a fifth day of chaos to the UK, with severe weather warnings issued to much of the country.
Road, rail and air transport is again badly affected, while hundreds of schools have again been closed.Road, rail and air transport is again badly affected, while hundreds of schools have again been closed.
The West Country and south Wales were worst-hit, with Okehampton in west Devon seeing 22in (55cm) of snow.The West Country and south Wales were worst-hit, with Okehampton in west Devon seeing 22in (55cm) of snow.
The Severn Crossings were closed after ice began falling onto cars and smashing windscreens, but the M48 crossing has since reopened.The Severn Crossings were closed after ice began falling onto cars and smashing windscreens, but the M48 crossing has since reopened.
About 200 people had to be rescued from cars in Devon after they became stranded by sudden snowfall.About 200 people had to be rescued from cars in Devon after they became stranded by sudden snowfall.
Five windscreens were smashed on the second Severn Crossing - the M4 - on Friday morning, the Highways Agency said.Five windscreens were smashed on the second Severn Crossing - the M4 - on Friday morning, the Highways Agency said.
Jim Clune, general manager of Severn River Crossing PLC, said sheets of ice measuring up to a square metre had fallen from overhead sign gantries. Drifting snow could make the roads more difficult to clear in parts of the West Country Chris FawkesBBC Weather Centre Updates from around the UKJim Clune, general manager of Severn River Crossing PLC, said sheets of ice measuring up to a square metre had fallen from overhead sign gantries. Drifting snow could make the roads more difficult to clear in parts of the West Country Chris FawkesBBC Weather Centre Updates from around the UK
He said: "It's very much a safety hazard and, of course, these gantries span all carriageways on the motorways."He said: "It's very much a safety hazard and, of course, these gantries span all carriageways on the motorways."
Heavy snow, some of it a foot (30cm) deep, has cut off some villages in Devon and Somerset and snow is still falling.Heavy snow, some of it a foot (30cm) deep, has cut off some villages in Devon and Somerset and snow is still falling.
The bad weather left 21,000 homes across the West Country without power on Friday.The bad weather left 21,000 homes across the West Country without power on Friday.
Western Power Distribution (WPD) said 12,000 residents in Devon were without electricity.Western Power Distribution (WPD) said 12,000 residents in Devon were without electricity.
Another 8,000 homes in the Taunton area were also without power.Another 8,000 homes in the Taunton area were also without power.
"We have everyone available working on this. We hope to restore power to as many people as we can today," a WPD spokeswoman said."We have everyone available working on this. We hope to restore power to as many people as we can today," a WPD spokeswoman said.
Thousands of calloutsThousands of callouts
A young couple are recovering after being stuck for 12 hours in an upturned car which was stuck in a ditch near Camelford in Cornwall.A young couple are recovering after being stuck for 12 hours in an upturned car which was stuck in a ditch near Camelford in Cornwall.
Police spent six hours searching for the pair, aided by a Royal Navy helicopter and Cornwall Search and Rescue volunteers.Police spent six hours searching for the pair, aided by a Royal Navy helicopter and Cornwall Search and Rescue volunteers.
The AA had received more than 3,000 callouts by 0930 GMT on Friday, double its normal workload, and it warned that shortages of road salt had created a "road safety crisis".The AA had received more than 3,000 callouts by 0930 GMT on Friday, double its normal workload, and it warned that shortages of road salt had created a "road safety crisis".
Emergency services had spent Thursday night rescuing stranded motorists from the A38 at Haldon Hill, near Exeter, after the weather deteriorated suddenly.Emergency services had spent Thursday night rescuing stranded motorists from the A38 at Haldon Hill, near Exeter, after the weather deteriorated suddenly.
A few miles west, the Army was called in to pick up about 60 people stuck on the A386.A few miles west, the Army was called in to pick up about 60 people stuck on the A386.
Many drivers spent the night in emergency centres.Many drivers spent the night in emergency centres.
The Met Office warned that heavy snow was likely on high ground in Bath, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Plymouth, Swindon, Torbay and Wiltshire.
  • Chiltern Railways, First Great Western, London Midland, Scotrail, Stansted Express and Virgin Trains are all subject to cancellations and alterations. The Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) said, however, that 84% of trains in the UK were arriving on time.
  • Flights at Bristol airport are suspended until 1600 GMT, with 31 cancelled, and nothing will fly in or out of Luton before 1300 GMT. Easyjet said none of its flights would resume until at least 1800 GMT.
  • The runway at Stansted Airport in Essex was closed for an hour on Friday morning to allow snow to be cleared, causing six arrivals to be diverted and knock-on delays.
  • In Northamptonshire, bus operator Stagecoach recalled all its vehicles to its depot, while Arriva suspended all its services in Hertfordshire.
  • Airports operator BAA is warning travellers to allow extra time for their journeys to other airports in case of adverse weather.
  • The Highways Agency is warning against travel across much of south western England.
  • The main route between north and south Wales - the A470 - is closed just south of Brecon.
The Met Office warned that heavy snow was likely on high ground in Bath, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Plymouth, Swindon, Torbay and Wiltshire.
  • Chiltern Railways, First Great Western, London Midland, Scotrail, Stansted Express and Virgin Trains are all subject to cancellations and alterations. The Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) said, however, that 84% of trains in the UK were arriving on time.
  • Flights at Bristol airport are suspended until 1600 GMT, with 31 cancelled, and nothing will fly in or out of Luton before 1300 GMT. Easyjet said none of its flights would resume until at least 1800 GMT.
  • The runway at Stansted Airport in Essex was closed for an hour on Friday morning to allow snow to be cleared, causing six arrivals to be diverted and knock-on delays.
  • In Northamptonshire, bus operator Stagecoach recalled all its vehicles to its depot, while Arriva suspended all its services in Hertfordshire.
  • Airports operator BAA is warning travellers to allow extra time for their journeys to other airports in case of adverse weather.
  • The Highways Agency is warning against travel across much of south western England.
  • The main route between north and south Wales - the A470 - is closed just south of Brecon.
More than 3,000 schools have closed across southern England and Wales. More than 3,000 schools have closed across southern England and Wales, with hundreds more shut in Scotland.
BBC weather forecaster Chris Fawkes said the heaviest snow was falling between Oxfordshire and Berkshire, and the Bristol channel area.BBC weather forecaster Chris Fawkes said the heaviest snow was falling between Oxfordshire and Berkshire, and the Bristol channel area.
"It's really heavy at the moment but this band of wintry weather is going to move through the south-east of England but it will get lighter."It's really heavy at the moment but this band of wintry weather is going to move through the south-east of England but it will get lighter.
"Drifting snow could make the roads more difficult to clear in parts of the West Country.""Drifting snow could make the roads more difficult to clear in parts of the West Country."
The far north of Scotland would be affected by snow showers all day, he added. LATEST SNOW REPORTS Ice falls shut Severn Bridge Motorists rescued in DevonBucks, Beds, Herts schools close Schools in Hereford still shut Fresh snow hits parts of south The far north of Scotland would be affected by snow showers all day, he added. LATEST SNOW REPORTS Ice falls shut Severn Bridge Motorists rescued in DevonBucks, Beds, Herts schools close Schools in Hereford still shut Fresh snow hits parts of south
Around 70 schools were closed in that area, where temperatures fell as low as -9C overnight.Around 70 schools were closed in that area, where temperatures fell as low as -9C overnight.
Grampian Police said some roads were closed or passable only with care due to heavy snow and fallen trees.Grampian Police said some roads were closed or passable only with care due to heavy snow and fallen trees.
Northern Ireland escaped snowfall overnight but it began snowing heavily on Friday morning, making conditions on minor roads treacherous.Northern Ireland escaped snowfall overnight but it began snowing heavily on Friday morning, making conditions on minor roads treacherous.
Some councils in England say they are running out of road salt. Authorities in Wiltshire are hoping to get 500 tonnes of salt from Devon County Council.Some councils in England say they are running out of road salt. Authorities in Wiltshire are hoping to get 500 tonnes of salt from Devon County Council.
Stocks in West Berkshire are at 20% of normal levels and are expected to last only another two or three days.Stocks in West Berkshire are at 20% of normal levels and are expected to last only another two or three days.
Cheshire-based Salt Union said staff were working around the clock but still could not meet demand.Cheshire-based Salt Union said staff were working around the clock but still could not meet demand.
Emergency centresEmergency centres
Meanwhile, the Irish Salt Mining and Exploration in Carrickfergus, Antrim, is digging up to 6,000 tonnes of salt a day, having been inundated by calls from councils across the UK.Meanwhile, the Irish Salt Mining and Exploration in Carrickfergus, Antrim, is digging up to 6,000 tonnes of salt a day, having been inundated by calls from councils across the UK.
Paul Bettison, chairman of the Local Government Association Environment Board, said eight councils had to prioritise supplies to focus on the most important roads.Paul Bettison, chairman of the Local Government Association Environment Board, said eight councils had to prioritise supplies to focus on the most important roads.
He said: "If that fails to deal with any issue, then councils will talk to the Highways Agency to look for further supplies."He said: "If that fails to deal with any issue, then councils will talk to the Highways Agency to look for further supplies."
Many travellers in Cornwall were forced to cut short their journeys, spending Thursday night in town halls or community centres.Many travellers in Cornwall were forced to cut short their journeys, spending Thursday night in town halls or community centres.
KEY LINKS TraintrackerNational Rail EnquiriesBAAHighways AgencyMet OfficeKEY LINKS TraintrackerNational Rail EnquiriesBAAHighways AgencyMet Office
In Devon, where motorists became stranded on the A38 on Haldon Hill, emergency centres were set up at Exeter Race Course, and the town hall in the nearby village of Chudleigh.In Devon, where motorists became stranded on the A38 on Haldon Hill, emergency centres were set up at Exeter Race Course, and the town hall in the nearby village of Chudleigh.
Cars were eventually towed away but lorries were left on the road because it was too difficult to move them.Cars were eventually towed away but lorries were left on the road because it was too difficult to move them.
However, police say the road is now passable with care.However, police say the road is now passable with care.
Are you having to spend the night away from home because of the weather? Do you have friends who've been left stranded? Has there been heavy snow overnight where you are?Please send us your comments and experiences using the form at the bottom.Are you having to spend the night away from home because of the weather? Do you have friends who've been left stranded? Has there been heavy snow overnight where you are?Please send us your comments and experiences using the form at the bottom.
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