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As it happenedended

UK travel news - LIVE: Snow and ice cause road closures and flight cancellations across Britain

Yellow warnings for snow and ice were in place across parts of the country

Helen Coffey,Cathy Adams
Friday 01 February 2019 13:37 EST
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Passenger films snow covered airplane window as Manchester Airport shuts due to cold weather

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Bitterly cold temperatures are swept the UK on Friday, alongside heavy snowfall, ice and freezing fog, particularly in western England.

Yellow warnings for snow and ice were in place across parts of the UK, with overnight temperatures falling to almost -13C in Scotland.

The Met Office warned that road and rail journeys could be disrupted due to the cold weather. Flights were also affected as airports struggled to clear snow.

Further snow and ice are expected.

Snow is on its way to the South West this lunchtime, according to the Met Office. Better grab lunch now before the first flakes arrive...

helen.coffey31 January 2019 11:40

With heavy snow due to hit the South West this afternoon, Cornwall Council is ready to go with extra staff and gritters on standby.

helen.coffey31 January 2019 11:57

Buffalo in New York State has declared a state of emergency due to severe weather.

With 11ft of snow and 45mph winds hitting Buffalo and the Southtowns, the city has issued travel bans to the south and east.

The Thruway Authority issued a travel ban to keep tractor-trailers off the highway, and flights were cancelled or delayed.

The Skyway and stretches of the Thruway and Route 219 were shut down at one point, while visibility in some areas was so poor Erie County Department of Public Works had to remove plough drivers from the roads.

Multi-vehicle accidents closed stretches of the I-190 during rush hour on Wednesday, with 21 vehicles involved in a crash.

helen.coffey31 January 2019 12:06

Given the weather warning for ice and snow in place across the UK until tomorrow 1 February, London Luton Airport has advised customers that they should allow extra time for their journey to the airport and check with their airline before travel.

Cathy Adams31 January 2019 12:26

With the West of England under an amber severe weather warning for snow this afternoon, the Devon and Cornwall Police have advised residents across both counties to not travel unless "essential".

Cathy Adams31 January 2019 12:29

Bristol Airport has advised customers to allow extra time for their journey and to keep up to date with the weather forecast if they're due to fly this afternoon.

The airport is currently open and operating as normal.

Bristol is within the Met Office's amber severe weather warning, which warns of heavy snow between 2pm and 9pm today.

Cathy Adams31 January 2019 12:35

A number of trains scheduled for tonight and tomorrow in Wales have been cancelled ahead of forecast snow. 

Transport for Wales is advising: "Snowfall is forecast to affect the Wales & Borders region in the coming days. The impact of the snow could result in short notice delays and alterations and could also mean a reduction in capacity on some services. Customers are advised to take extra care when making journeys as many surfaces will be slippery due to snow and ice."

There is a full list of affected train services on the Transport for Wales site here:

Cathy Adams31 January 2019 13:09

Meanwhile at Newark Airport in New Jersey, which serves New York, at least a dozen vehicles are on fire as a blaze broke out in a car park.

Aerial footage from ABC7 New York showed around 15 cars in flames.

No injuries have been reported and airport operations are running as normal.

Cathy Adams31 January 2019 13:33

The Torquay seafront in Devon has now been closed due to strong winds.

helen.coffey31 January 2019 14:02

Great Western Railway says it plans to run a mostly normal train service today.

However, from 7pm Network Rail will be reducing the amount of trains that cross over railway lines at junctions and will be monitoring junctions for build up of snow and ice.

This may lead to delays on the GWR network with possible alterations or cancellations to reduce congestion.

GWR advises those planning to travel after 5pm to ensure they are prepared to travel in winter weather as they may have to wait outside on cold platforms.

Passengers are told to take additional food and a warm drink, wear warm winter clothing and, for icy conditions, sensible footwear. Those who take medication are asked to carry it with them.

Those with advance tickets are permitted to use them on earlier services to ensure travel is completed by 9pm, when "the snow has potential to impact on our train services".

helen.coffey31 January 2019 14:17

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