Wintry weather shuts schools and disrupts journey

Summary

The UK is experiencing its heaviest snowfall in 50 years, paralyzing transport systems and causing chaos across the country. Areas like Hampshire and Sussex have seen severe disruptions, with hundreds of drivers trapped and rail journeys delayed by hours. Airports like Gatwick were left operating with only snow plows, while hundreds of flights were canceled. A shortage of salt supplies in local councils led to a lack of preparedness in many areas. Schools across Britain are closed, creating difficulties for working parents. The extreme weather is expected to continue, with no signs of relief in sight.

Takeaways

• ❄️ Heavy snowfalls in the UK, the heaviest in 50 years, have paralyzed large parts of the country.
• 🚗 Some regions saw up to half a meter of snow, leading to severe disruptions across the transport network.
• 🛑 The army was called in to assist in rescuing drivers trapped in their cars, particularly on the A3 in Hampshire.
• 🚆 Rail passengers in Sussex faced a 6-hour journey to London, which would normally take just 1 hour.
• ✈️ Gatwick Airport faced major disruptions, with snow plows and cancelled flights causing chaos for thousands of passengers.
• 🧂 There are concerns over the shortage of salt supplies, particularly in West Berkshire, where authorities only had enough for one more run.
• 🏫 Many councils, including West Berkshire, closed schools due to the snow, which led to difficulties for working parents who had to stay home with their children.
• 🚨 Hundreds of flights were cancelled across the country, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
• 🌨️ Gritters were preparing for another night of intense snow clearance operations.
• 🌡️ The cold weather and snow conditions are expected to continue, showing no signs of easing in the near future.

Q & A

What event caused significant disruptions across parts of the UK?

The event was caused by some of the heaviest snowfalls in 50 years, which led to transport disruptions, power outages, and significant challenges for commuters.

How much snow fell in certain areas of the UK during the snowfall?

In some parts of the country, half a meter of snow fell, which created major disruptions to daily life and transport.

How did the UK transport network react to the heavy snowfalls?

The snow caused the UK transport network to go into meltdown, with the army being called in to rescue hundreds of drivers trapped in their cars.

Which specific road in the UK saw drivers trapped by the snow?

Drivers were trapped on the A3 in Hampshire due to the snow, prompting a military response for their rescue.

What were rail passengers in Sussex forced to endure during the snowstorm?

Rail passengers in Sussex were forced to endure a 6-hour journey to London, which normally takes around 60 minutes.

What was the situation at Gatwick Airport during the snowstorm?

At Gatwick Airport, snow plows were the only vehicles visible on the runway, as many flights were canceled and passengers were stranded.

Why were councils in certain areas criticized during the snowstorm?

Councils were criticized for allowing their salt supplies to run too low, which hindered their ability to clear roads and manage the snow effectively.

What was the situation in West Berkshire during the snowstorm?

West Berkshire, one of the worst-affected areas, faced shortages of salt and had only enough for one more run, which contributed to the difficulties in managing the snowfall.

How did the snowstorm impact schools in certain counties?

Many counties declared that their schools would be closed, which was good news for pupils but posed challenges for working parents who had to stay home to care for their children.

How long is it expected for the UK's freeze to last?

The UK's freeze shows no signs of easing, indicating that the cold weather and disruptions will continue for an extended period.