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Snow brings another day of chaos Snow brings another day of chaos
(20 minutes later)
Heavy snow has brought a fifth day of chaos to many parts of the UK, with severe weather warnings in place across 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 overnight. Up to eight inches (20cm) of snow is forecast in places.The West Country and south Wales were worst-hit overnight. Up to eight inches (20cm) of snow is forecast in places.
The Severn crossings have been closed after ice began falling onto cars and smashing windscreens. The Severn crossings have been closed after ice began falling onto cars and smashing windscreens, while about 200 people were rescued from cars in Devon.
About 200 people had to be rescued by emergency services after becoming stranded in cars in Devon. Five windscreens were smashed on the second Severn crossing - the M4 - on Friday morning, the Highways Agency said.
Rescuers were called to the A38 at Haldon Hill, near Exeter, at about 2100 GMT on Thursday after weather deteriorated suddenly. Emergency services had spent the previous 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. Drifting snow could make the roads more difficult to clear in parts of the west country Chris FawkesBBC Weather Centre Updates from around the UKA few miles west, the Army was called in to pick up about 60 people stuck on the A386. 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
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.
  • Flights at Bristol Airport are suspended until 1230 GMT, with no arrivals or departures at Luton before 1200 GMT.
  • 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 M5 southbound in the Exeter area has been closed.
  • 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.
  • Flights at Bristol airport are suspended until 1230 GMT, with no arrivals or departures at Luton before 1200 GMT.
  • 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 M5 southbound in the Exeter area has been closed.
  • The main route between north and south Wales - the A470 - is closed just south of Brecon.
More than 1,500 schools have been closed across southern England and Wales.More than 1,500 schools have been closed across southern England and Wales.
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. KEY LINKS National Rail EnquiriesBAAHighways AgencyMet OfficeThe far north of Scotland would be affected by snow showers all day, he added. KEY LINKS National Rail EnquiriesBAAHighways AgencyMet Office
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.
Some councils in England say they are running out of road salt and the AA has warned shortages have created a "road safety crisis".Some councils in England say they are running out of road salt and the AA has warned shortages have created a "road safety crisis".
Authorities in Wiltshire are hoping to get 500 tonnes of salt from Devon County Council.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.
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.
Mary Judson, from Bude, was among 50 people on a coach trip which had to divert to Launceston Town Hall after it was unable to negotiate the roads.Mary Judson, from Bude, was among 50 people on a coach trip which had to divert to Launceston Town Hall after it was unable to negotiate the roads.
"Everybody's fine. We've had lovely cups of tea from a lady who had been in bed and got up to make us tea, which was wonderful," she said."Everybody's fine. We've had lovely cups of tea from a lady who had been in bed and got up to make us tea, which was wonderful," she said.
Emergency centreEmergency centre
In Devon, cars were gradually towed away from the A38 through the night and waiting motorists were given hot drinks.In Devon, cars were gradually towed away from the A38 through the night and waiting motorists were given hot drinks.
Lorries were left on the road because it was too difficult to move them.Lorries were left on the road because it was too difficult to move them.
The Highways Agency is continuing to clear up to 12 inches (30cm) of snow from the southbound carriageway so traffic on that side can be moved.The Highways Agency is continuing to clear up to 12 inches (30cm) of snow from the southbound carriageway so traffic on that side can be moved.
An emergency relief centre was set up at Exeter Race Course, which is at the top of Haldon Hill.An emergency relief centre was set up at Exeter Race Course, which is at the top of Haldon Hill.
People have also been taken to the town hall in the nearby village of Chudleigh.People have also been taken to the town hall in the nearby village of Chudleigh.
Devon and Cornwall Police is planning to bus people back to their cars from rescue centres once the roads are clear.Devon and Cornwall Police is planning to bus people back to their cars from rescue centres once the roads are clear.
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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