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Snow across England hits travel and closes schools Snow across England hits travel and closes schools
(about 1 hour later)
More than 1,000 schools have been closed as heavy snow caused disruption for travellers across England.More than 1,000 schools have been closed as heavy snow caused disruption for travellers across England.
Flights at both Bristol and Southampton airports have been affected and some coach firms have cancelled services. Flights at Heathrow, Bristol and Southampton airports have been affected and some coach firms have cancelled services.
On the roads, a gritting lorry got stuck at Warminster while an ambulance was trapped in snow at Lyneham in Wiltshire. A gritting lorry got stuck at Warminster and an ambulance was trapped in snow at Lyneham in Wiltshire.
Rail services have also been affected with some operators running altered timetables.Rail services have also been affected with some operators running altered timetables.
More than 400 schools were closed in Hampshire, 250 in Gloucestershire and 225 in Norfolk.More than 400 schools were closed in Hampshire, 250 in Gloucestershire and 225 in Norfolk.
No flights have been able to take off or land at Bristol Airport because of snow while Southampton Airport said its runway would be closed until at least 15:00 GMT.No flights have been able to take off or land at Bristol Airport because of snow while Southampton Airport said its runway would be closed until at least 15:00 GMT.
Blizzard conditions were reported during the morning across Devon causing difficulties for motorists, especially lorry drivers heading up hills. More than 70 flights were cancelled at London's Heathrow Airport. A spokesman said: "This is primarily because of problems at other airports.
'Snow, snow and more snow' "Obviously the snow is affecting the whole country and it just means there's a knock-on effect here."
Sport events have also been affected, with a number of horse racing meetings and football matches cancelled because of the weather - including Friday afternoon's racing on Wolverhampton's all-weather track.
Wedding by tractor
West Somerset has seen up to 7ins (18cm) of snow fall and the county council said it was struggling to keep some roads open.West Somerset has seen up to 7ins (18cm) of snow fall and the county council said it was struggling to keep some roads open.
I set out in my car at 06:45 GMT but have only managed to get about three miles - it's gridlocked.
Cars, buses and lorries have been skidding everywhere - you feel like you're taking your life in your hands.
The real trouble started when a lorry trying to get up a hill blocked the road bringing everyone to a halt.
Residents have turned out in force armed with shovels and spades and most drivers have taken a pragmatic approach.
But others are visibly irritated as they battle in vain to get to their destinations.
Police have now closed part of the road to buses and lorries which is giving cars a fighting chance of getting through.
But from what I've head the rest of the city is not much better.
Despite treacherous conditions in Wiltshire, local farmers have pitched in to help keep roads clear.Despite treacherous conditions in Wiltshire, local farmers have pitched in to help keep roads clear.
And one couple, from Shropshire, will brave the snow in a tractor to get to their wedding at 11.30 GMT.
Jim Jones, 26, and Heather Morris, 24, have been together five years and chose their wedding day more than a year ago. They will wed at Chirbury Church in south-west Shropshire.
Mr Jones told BBC Radio Shropshire: "We've been watching it (the weather forecast) very closely for the last two weeks.
"I was nervous, but I've got other things on my mind", he said.
People across the country have been getting on with their usual morning routines, with deliveries of milk, post and newspapers continuing.People across the country have been getting on with their usual morning routines, with deliveries of milk, post and newspapers continuing.
Gina Long, early morning manager at a shop in Thetford, Norfolk, said: "We have about 40 boys, girls and older people who deliver papers here and to the outlying villages.Gina Long, early morning manager at a shop in Thetford, Norfolk, said: "We have about 40 boys, girls and older people who deliver papers here and to the outlying villages.
"Bless them, they're all turning up. Most of them are walking as it's too dangerous to cycle, so deliveries are about an hour late, but we're getting everything out there.""Bless them, they're all turning up. Most of them are walking as it's too dangerous to cycle, so deliveries are about an hour late, but we're getting everything out there."
'Snow, snow and more snow'
Meanwhile, the Highways Agency has advised motorists to check weather forecasts and allow extra time for their journeys.Meanwhile, the Highways Agency has advised motorists to check weather forecasts and allow extra time for their journeys.
Steve Crosthwaite, head of the agency's national traffic operations centre, said: "During periods of severe weather we also suggest people consider whether their journey is essential.
"They may want to delay their travel until conditions improve and to allow our winter fleet the chance to treat the roads."
The Highways Agency, which looks after motorways and major A roads in England, has a 500-strong fleet of salt spreaders and snow ploughs available.
Dave Kirk, an HGV driver, ended up stuck on the A361 in Devon.Dave Kirk, an HGV driver, ended up stuck on the A361 in Devon.
He said: "It's absolutely horrendous. I have been here for three hours and nothing is moving.He said: "It's absolutely horrendous. I have been here for three hours and nothing is moving.
"It's snow, snow and more snow. There's not a lot we can do. We have just got to sit here and let them grit the road and get the snow ploughs out.""It's snow, snow and more snow. There's not a lot we can do. We have just got to sit here and let them grit the road and get the snow ploughs out."
Some people have reported empty shelves in supermarkets.
Matt Savage from Whatstandwell photographed an empty bread aisle at the Ripley branch of Sainsbury's, near Derby.
He said both the bread and vegetable aisles were empty and blamed the situation on "too many people panic buying".
Sainsbury's said while customers were stocking up supplies they had not experienced panic buying.
Richard Dodd of the British Retail Consortium said retailers had "extremely robust contingency plans" in place and said on any given day some shelves could end up thinly stocked prior to being refilled.
"It can be the case that panicking about shortages can cause shortages," said Mr Dodd. "But most people understand that we've got lots of experience of tough winters."
South West Trains is running a revised timetable on a number of routes. Affected services include London to Bournemouth and Weymouth, London to Salisbury and Portsmouth and London to Reading.South West Trains is running a revised timetable on a number of routes. Affected services include London to Bournemouth and Weymouth, London to Salisbury and Portsmouth and London to Reading.
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The East Coast train company has advised passengers to check before travelling. The company said it would lift ticket restrictions for all journeys on its trains which arrive in, or depart from, King's Cross station in London after 10:00 GMT.The East Coast train company has advised passengers to check before travelling. The company said it would lift ticket restrictions for all journeys on its trains which arrive in, or depart from, King's Cross station in London after 10:00 GMT.
East Coast urged passengers wherever possible to travel before 18:00 on Friday, as heavier snowfalls were predicted after that time.East Coast urged passengers wherever possible to travel before 18:00 on Friday, as heavier snowfalls were predicted after that time.
The Southeastern railway company also advised passengers to make checks before setting out. A spokeswoman for Southeastern said: "Given the weather forecast, there may be disruption on some routes through the day."The Southeastern railway company also advised passengers to make checks before setting out. A spokeswoman for Southeastern said: "Given the weather forecast, there may be disruption on some routes through the day."
In London, contingency plans for Tube services have been put in place.In London, contingency plans for Tube services have been put in place.
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