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Snow across England hits travel and closes schools Snow across England hits travel and closes schools
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of schools have closed as heavy snow has triggered disruption on England's roads, railways and airports. More than 1,000 schools have been closed as heavy snow caused disruption for travellers across England.
One rail firm is to run a revised timetable and some coach companies have cancelled services. Flights at both Bristol and Southampton airports have been affected and some coach firms have cancelled services.
Widespread school closures have been confirmed with Hampshire and Norfolk among the worst affected areas. On the roads, a gritting lorry got stuck at Warminster while an ambulance was trapped in snow at Lyneham in Wiltshire.
A gritting lorry has been reported stuck in Warminster and an ambulance trapped in snow in Lyneham in Wiltshire. Rail services have also been affected with some operators running altered timetables.
Schools closed 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. Southampton Airport said its runway would be closed until at least 10:00 GMT, with more than 10 flights expected to be affected. 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 and heavy snow have been reported across Devon where Haldon Hill is down to one lane each way, with lorries being stacked up on the North Devon Link Road near Bolham. Blizzard conditions were reported during the morning across Devon causing difficulties for motorists, especially lorry drivers heading up hills.
More than 400 schools have been closed in Hampshire, while more than 225 in Norfolk, about 180 in Wiltshire, more than 100 in Gloucestershire and more than 130 in the West Midlands have shut. 'Snow, snow and more snow'
In Shropshire, 47 schools have closed.
So far, 15 schools and three colleges are to close in Somerset, where two coach firms said they would not be running any services on Friday.
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.
About a dozen schools are closed in Bristol and in Oxfordshire six school closures have been confirmed while in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire the number of school closures stands at nine and three respectively.
Snow ploughs
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.
But despite the snow, 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."
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.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.""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.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.
South West Trains will be 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. Dave Kirk, an HGV driver, ended up stuck on the A361 in Devon.
Neil Micklethwaite, customer service and commercial director for East Midlands Trains, said: "Whilst we are hopeful of running our full service, we are conscious that some very severe weather conditions have been predicted, with snow and sub-zero temperatures. He said: "It's absolutely horrendous. I have been here for three hours and nothing is moving.
"As with the roads, airlines and ferries, we can never fully insulate our operation from the effects of the most extreme conditions." "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."
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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