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| Bridge reopens after ice closure | Bridge reopens after ice closure |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The second Severn crossing between south Wales and the west of England has reopened, a day and a half after it was shut amid safety concerns. | |
| Both Severn bridges had closed on Friday as ice fell onto cars, meaning long delays and diversions for drivers. | Both Severn bridges had closed on Friday as ice fell onto cars, meaning long delays and diversions for drivers. |
| The original bridge reopened on Friday, but the second crossing stayed shut until Saturday evening. | The original bridge reopened on Friday, but the second crossing stayed shut until Saturday evening. |
| A sharp drop in temperatures overnight left a number of roads closed, with icy stretches affecting many more. | A sharp drop in temperatures overnight left a number of roads closed, with icy stretches affecting many more. |
| Meanwhile, about 100 Edinburgh-bound Welsh rugby fans began Saturday stranded in snow at Bristol Airport. | Meanwhile, about 100 Edinburgh-bound Welsh rugby fans began Saturday stranded in snow at Bristol Airport. |
| After a week of heavy snow falls across Wales, ice became the major problem facing motorists and pedestrians. | After a week of heavy snow falls across Wales, ice became the major problem facing motorists and pedestrians. |
| Fabian Way heading into Swansea, one of the city's main routes, was shut because of ice, although the same road leading out remained open. | Fabian Way heading into Swansea, one of the city's main routes, was shut because of ice, although the same road leading out remained open. |
| Both Severn crossings were closed for most of Friday after vehicles on each bridge were struck by sizeable sheets of ice falling from overhead gantries. | Both Severn crossings were closed for most of Friday after vehicles on each bridge were struck by sizeable sheets of ice falling from overhead gantries. |
| There were lengthy tailbacks either side of the Severn on Friday, with many motorists facing a long detour around Gloucester. | There were lengthy tailbacks either side of the Severn on Friday, with many motorists facing a long detour around Gloucester. |
| All restrictions on the M48 Severn Bridge were lifted on Friday evening, but it is not yet known how long the M4 crossing will remain closed. | All restrictions on the M48 Severn Bridge were lifted on Friday evening, but it is not yet known how long the M4 crossing will remain closed. |
| As temperatures fell sharply overnight, Traffic Wales warned of icy stretches forming on many untreated roads and urged members of the public to take extra care. There are no more seats available on flights [on Saturday] as we are full to capacity Andrew McConnell, easyJet spokesman | As temperatures fell sharply overnight, Traffic Wales warned of icy stretches forming on many untreated roads and urged members of the public to take extra care. There are no more seats available on flights [on Saturday] as we are full to capacity Andrew McConnell, easyJet spokesman |
| In south Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taf council said the Bwlch, Maerdy and Rhigos mountain roads were closed overnight. | In south Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taf council said the Bwlch, Maerdy and Rhigos mountain roads were closed overnight. |
| The council said a local forecast of up to an inch (2cm) of snow on higher ground on Friday night meant the roads would remain treacherous even if gritted. | The council said a local forecast of up to an inch (2cm) of snow on higher ground on Friday night meant the roads would remain treacherous even if gritted. |
| Meanwhile thousands of Welsh rugby fans hoping to travel to Scotland for Sunday's Six Nations match at Murrayfield woke to another day of uncertainty. | Meanwhile thousands of Welsh rugby fans hoping to travel to Scotland for Sunday's Six Nations match at Murrayfield woke to another day of uncertainty. |
| Around 20,000 to 30,000 supporters had been expected to travel by air, road and rail before the adverse weather conditions hit. | Around 20,000 to 30,000 supporters had been expected to travel by air, road and rail before the adverse weather conditions hit. |
| More than 100 supporters were stranded overnight in Bristol Airport after the airport was shut by heavy snow. | More than 100 supporters were stranded overnight in Bristol Airport after the airport was shut by heavy snow. |
| Although the airport's runway was re-opened at 1600 GMT on Friday, easyJet announced that none of its 35 flights scheduled for that day - including flights to Glasgow and Edinburgh - would be leaving. | Although the airport's runway was re-opened at 1600 GMT on Friday, easyJet announced that none of its 35 flights scheduled for that day - including flights to Glasgow and Edinburgh - would be leaving. |
| A spokesman for the airline added that it was unlikely that the grounded fans would be able to fly on Saturday either. | A spokesman for the airline added that it was unlikely that the grounded fans would be able to fly on Saturday either. |
| Andrew McConnell, from easyJet, said: "There will be a large number of people flying up to Scotland for the match in Edinburgh but there are no more seats available on flights (on Saturday) as we are full to capacity." | Andrew McConnell, from easyJet, said: "There will be a large number of people flying up to Scotland for the match in Edinburgh but there are no more seats available on flights (on Saturday) as we are full to capacity." |
| Mr McConnell said rugby fans could get a refund of their airfare. | Mr McConnell said rugby fans could get a refund of their airfare. |
| Further trouble | Further trouble |
| Dan Allsobrook, organiser of fan website gwladrugby.com, said Welsh supporters would try any means to get to Scotland. | Dan Allsobrook, organiser of fan website gwladrugby.com, said Welsh supporters would try any means to get to Scotland. |
| "Part of the problem is that the fans at Bristol Airport cannot get out, either by plane or other means, because the roads are so bad. | "Part of the problem is that the fans at Bristol Airport cannot get out, either by plane or other means, because the roads are so bad. |
| "This is the most popular trip away for the Six Nations for Welsh fans as it is quite close and Edinburgh is a fun place to go, and many people go whether they have a ticket or not. | "This is the most popular trip away for the Six Nations for Welsh fans as it is quite close and Edinburgh is a fun place to go, and many people go whether they have a ticket or not. |
| "People will try to get to Edinburgh by train or by car. | "People will try to get to Edinburgh by train or by car. |
| "I think people with tickets will make the best effort they can and perhaps the people who expect to buy tickets outside the ground will decide it's not worth it, so we could see empty seats or more Scottish supporters." | "I think people with tickets will make the best effort they can and perhaps the people who expect to buy tickets outside the ground will decide it's not worth it, so we could see empty seats or more Scottish supporters." |
| Fans returning from Edinburgh after the game could run into further trouble as the Met Office has issued a weather warning for Sunday. | Fans returning from Edinburgh after the game could run into further trouble as the Met Office has issued a weather warning for Sunday. |
| Heavy snow is expected across central and northern England, as well as northeast Wales - with Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham most at risk. | Heavy snow is expected across central and northern England, as well as northeast Wales - with Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham most at risk. |
| Up to 2in (5cm) of snow is predicted in places as a band of snow moves eastwards across the country. | Up to 2in (5cm) of snow is predicted in places as a band of snow moves eastwards across the country. |
| In Swansea, buses have started to run on main roads only, although it was unlikely that services would run to Townhill initially. | In Swansea, buses have started to run on main roads only, although it was unlikely that services would run to Townhill initially. |
| In Llanelli, services were running, but on main roads only. In Carmarthen, most services were also running, as they were in Port Talbot services, although there were warnings of few delays where roads were icy. | In Llanelli, services were running, but on main roads only. In Carmarthen, most services were also running, as they were in Port Talbot services, although there were warnings of few delays where roads were icy. |
| Swansea to Cardiff Shuttle and National Express services were also back to normal. | Swansea to Cardiff Shuttle and National Express services were also back to normal. |