UK snowfall leaves travellers stranded

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/dec/27/uk-snowfall-leaves-travellers-stranded

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Snow caused serious travel disruption in northern areas of the UK overnight, with Yorkshire particularly hard hit.

In Sheffield, the AA said vehicles were being abandoned, and the BBC reported that coach passengers had taken refuge in a church.

Prince of Wales Rd, #Sheffield around 30 mins ago! Lots of abandoned vehicles locally! #uksnow Via AA patrol Ben pic.twitter.com/iqmzbQT1Ai”

Police in Cheshire and Staffordshire warned of treacherous driving conditions on Friday night as rain, sleet and snow moved across Northern Ireland, Wales, northern and central parts of England and southern Scotland.

The wintry weather earlier forced the closure of both Liverpool’s John Lennon airport and Leeds Bradford International in Yorkshire while runways were cleared of snow.

Chloe McIntosh told the BBC how she and her fellow passengers had been forced to take shelter in Our Lady of Beauchief & St Thomas of Canterbury church in Sheffield after a coach travelling to London on Friday evening got stuck on a steep hill.

“Some people from the houses nearby have come and offered us tea,” she said.

“Then they opened up the church.”

Four flights into Liverpool from Malta, Berlin and Bucharest were diverted to Manchester airport on Friday, while a fifth from the Isle of Man returned to the island’s airport as the Merseyside hub was closed for more than an hour while its runway was cleared of snow, a John Lennon Airport spokesman said.

He said knock-on disruption was expected, adding: “We have had quite a deluge here.”

Leeds Bradford International airport was also forced to halt flights, with a notice on its website saying: “As a result of adverse weather conditions, Leeds Bradford International airport is presently closed.

“We recommend you contact your airline or tour operator and check the status of your flight before arriving at the airport.”

Staffordshire police tweeted: “Reports of difficult road conditions across Staffordshire due to snow, Please only travel tonight if necessary.”

Cheshire police added: “Roads around Delamere/Frodsham looking quite treacherous due to weather, Please drive with care.”

Leicestershire police tweeted: “Snow causing disruption in the north of the county. Please only travel if absolutely necessary and avoid A1 as large vehicles are stuck.”

A Met Office spokeswoman said that the Pennines and Peak District also saw plenty of snow.