Arctic freeze grinds Britain to a halt with flights grounded

By MARK DUELL, DEPUTY CHIEF REPORTER (DIGITAL)

Published: | Updated:

Flights were cancelled, trains axed and hundreds of schools closed today after Britain was hit by heavy snow as the cold snap continues for at least the rest of this week. Liverpool, Aberdeen, Inverness and BelfastInternational airports were worst hit by disruption with a series of cancellations as the conditions blocked runways. Rail services were also badly affected in Wales and northern Scotland, where LNER advised customers 'not to travel' between Edinburgh and Aberdeen or Inverness.

Flights were cancelled, trains axed and hundreds of schools closed today after Britain was hit by heavy snow as the cold snap continues for at least the rest of this week. Liverpool, Aberdeen, Inverness and BelfastInternational airports were worst hit by disruption with a series of cancellations as the conditions blocked runways. Rail services were also badly affected in Wales and northern Scotland, where LNER advised customers 'not to travel' between Edinburgh and Aberdeen or Inverness.

Eurostar told passengers going between London and the Netherlands to postpone their journey as services could not operate beyond Brussels due to the weather. Wintry conditions also blocked trains in Wales between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog; Machynlleth and Pwllheli; and to Manchester Piccadilly via Shrewsbury. The UK faces its chilliest night of the winter so far tonight with temperatures falling to -12C (10F), while London faces an exceptionally cold night with -6C (21F) lows.

Eurostar told passengers going between London and the Netherlands to postpone their journey as services could not operate beyond Brussels due to the weather. Wintry conditions also blocked trains in Wales between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog; Machynlleth and Pwllheli; and to Manchester Piccadilly via Shrewsbury. The UK faces its chilliest night of the winter so far tonight with temperatures falling to -12C (10F), while London faces an exceptionally cold night with -6C (21F) lows.

Temperatures will widely fall below zero again after the mercury fell to -10.9C (12.4F) at Shap in Cumbria last night, making it England's coldest night of winter so far. More than 1ft 8in (52cm) of snow has already fallen in the worst-hit parts of Scotland, bringing travel chaos after Met Office amber warnings were imposed. Meteorologists also warned today of a 'potential multi-hazard event' this Thursday as a low pressure system could bring further snow, heavy rain and strong winds.

Temperatures will widely fall below zero again after the mercury fell to -10.9C (12.4F) at Shap in Cumbria last night, making it England's coldest night of winter so far. More than 1ft 8in (52cm) of snow has already fallen in the worst-hit parts of Scotland, bringing travel chaos after Met Office amber warnings were imposed. Meteorologists also warned today of a 'potential multi-hazard event' this Thursday as a low pressure system could bring further snow, heavy rain and strong winds.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continued to have an amber cold health alert in force for the whole of England, which is in place until Friday morning. It means health services may be severely impacted and that officials expect a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or who have health conditions. Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, urged people to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours. He warned: 'The forecast temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.'

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continued to have an amber cold health alert in force for the whole of England, which is in place until Friday morning. It means health services may be severely impacted and that officials expect a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or who have health conditions. Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, urged people to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours. He warned: 'The forecast temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.'

As many people went back to school or work after the Christmas and New Year period, a string of snow and ice warnings were in place across the UK for today. The NHS has advised the elderly or vulnerable to stay safe by keeping their home heated to at least 18C, remaining active indoors with gentle movement to improve circulation; and wearing hats, gloves, and warm indoor footwear such as slippers. Official Government advice states people can reduce the risk of developing medical problems by trying not to sit still for more than an hour or so; and, if they find it difficult to move about, stretching their arms and legs to help keep them warm.

As many people went back to school or work after the Christmas and New Year period, a string of snow and ice warnings were in place across the UK for today. The NHS has advised the elderly or vulnerable to stay safe by keeping their home heated to at least 18C, remaining active indoors with gentle movement to improve circulation; and wearing hats, gloves, and warm indoor footwear such as slippers. Official Government advice states people can reduce the risk of developing medical problems by trying not to sit still for more than an hour or so; and, if they find it difficult to move about, stretching their arms and legs to help keep them warm.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) urged companies to allow employees to work from home in the snow because no one should be 'pressured into making dangerous journeys' and said workers who cannot get to work should not be penalised. A TUC spokesman said: 'Good bosses will already have bad weather policies in place so staff know where they stand and recognise the difficulties those with children face when schools are closed.' Some Brits also reported that their boiler had stopped working this morning due to the cold weather, after the condensate pipe - the white plastic pipe outside - had frozen.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) urged companies to allow employees to work from home in the snow because no one should be 'pressured into making dangerous journeys' and said workers who cannot get to work should not be penalised. A TUC spokesman said: 'Good bosses will already have bad weather policies in place so staff know where they stand and recognise the difficulties those with children face when schools are closed.' Some Brits also reported that their boiler had stopped working this morning due to the cold weather, after the condensate pipe - the white plastic pipe outside - had frozen.

Meanwhile many households' energy bills rose from January 1, with the 0.2 per cent increase to Ofgem's energy price cap equating to a rise of about 28p a month for the average household in England, Wales and Scotland on a standard variable tariff. The AA warned of a 'Manic Monday' today with 22million cars expected to hit the roads and today predicted to be one of the worst days of the year for breakdowns. Flat batteries and tyres are expected to be common reasons for callouts, with drivers heading out to cars that have sat idle outside homes over the Christmas period.

Meanwhile many households' energy bills rose from January 1, with the 0.2 per cent increase to Ofgem's energy price cap equating to a rise of about 28p a month for the average household in England, Wales and Scotland on a standard variable tariff. The AA warned of a 'Manic Monday' today with 22million cars expected to hit the roads and today predicted to be one of the worst days of the year for breakdowns. Flat batteries and tyres are expected to be common reasons for callouts, with drivers heading out to cars that have sat idle outside homes over the Christmas period.

The Met Office said the whole of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England remained under yellow warnings for snow and ice this afternoon as an Arctic airmass continues to cover the UK. Further warnings cover the east of England and west of Wales as well as Devon and Cornwall. Schools in Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles, Aberdeenshire and many in Moray are shut today. Some across parts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland were also closed.

The Met Office said the whole of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England remained under yellow warnings for snow and ice this afternoon as an Arctic airmass continues to cover the UK. Further warnings cover the east of England and west of Wales as well as Devon and Cornwall. Schools in Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles, Aberdeenshire and many in Moray are shut today. Some across parts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland were also closed.

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