07/12/2010

More Snow, More Closures

It was another day off school for thousands of schoolchildren today.

More heavy snow meant that around 900 schools in Scotland are shut, along with 650 in Northern Ireland and 70 in Cumbria.

Temperatures plummeted in the UK overnight, with a low in Scotland of -17C (1F).

The Met Office has extended ice warnings across much of the UK.

In Central Scotland police have advised drivers to undertake essential journeys only.

Transport Minister for Scotland, Stewart Stevenson, has apologised after hundreds of drivers were stranded overnight, with the central belt hit badly by snow.

Meanwhile travel disruption continues for commuters with many services affected.

Tuesday morning services in and out of London's Liverpool Street station were delayed by up to 45 minutes, while reduced services are operating on the East Coast Mainline, with several local services in Yorkshire disrupted.

Belfast International, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports are open but passengers are advised to check for delays with airlines

The BBC have reported temperatures as low as -17C overnight in Strathallan, near Perth, and -14C (7F) at Sennybridge in Powys and Castlederg, Tyrone, and Scampton, Lincolnshire.

Cumbria and northern Lancashire could see 2-5cm (1-2in) of snow during Tuesday, while dense freezing fog would linger across the Midlands and southern England.

(BMcN)

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