John
01-07-2010, 09:21 AM
The Met Office has issued widespread warnings for icy roads, with morning commuters facing a dangerous drive to work.
Forecasters say the country can expect the arctic conditions to continue for another fortnight.
Around 18ins (47cm) of snow fell over the last 24 hours, crippling transport networks, shutting schools and costing businesses a fortune as millions of people stayed home.
Overnight the mercury plummeted, with Benson in Oxfordshire the coldest at -17C (1F), Manchester at -13 (21F) and even central London at -3C (27F).
Sky's Laura Bundock reported on the situation in London. She said: "As as you turn away from the main roads the conditions change suddenly - just a few metres away from where the gritters have been you can seen the ice glistening.
"Conditions really are treacherous and the biggest problems will start this morning when people get in their cars and realise roads have turned into ice rinks."
The AA says stopping distances are 10 times longer in the ice and snow, and advises drivers to make sure they apply brakes and manoevre as gently as possible.
The ice is dangerous for pedestrians too. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has paid tribute to firefighter Gareth Wyn Rees who died last night after he slipped and banged his head.
Many councils say their schools will stay shut today, with Salford, St Helens, Warrington, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire and Hampshire all giving children another day off.
Gatwick Airport's runway was reopened last night after being shut all day with more than 240 flights cancelled, but bosses warned passengers to expect delays and some late-night travellers were left trapped on landed planes because of the conditions.
Easyjet passenger Graham Wilson contacted Sky News Online in the early hours of the morning: "We have been sat on the Tarmac since landing four hours ago with hardly any refreshments and no information stating how much longer we will be here.
"There are about 150 of us on this plane and we are told at least another ten planes out here with us suffering the same fate.
"They won't offload us onto buses or get us to a boarding arm so we can get off. It's an absolute nightmare."
Forecasters say the country can expect the arctic conditions to continue for another fortnight.
Around 18ins (47cm) of snow fell over the last 24 hours, crippling transport networks, shutting schools and costing businesses a fortune as millions of people stayed home.
Overnight the mercury plummeted, with Benson in Oxfordshire the coldest at -17C (1F), Manchester at -13 (21F) and even central London at -3C (27F).
Sky's Laura Bundock reported on the situation in London. She said: "As as you turn away from the main roads the conditions change suddenly - just a few metres away from where the gritters have been you can seen the ice glistening.
"Conditions really are treacherous and the biggest problems will start this morning when people get in their cars and realise roads have turned into ice rinks."
The AA says stopping distances are 10 times longer in the ice and snow, and advises drivers to make sure they apply brakes and manoevre as gently as possible.
The ice is dangerous for pedestrians too. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has paid tribute to firefighter Gareth Wyn Rees who died last night after he slipped and banged his head.
Many councils say their schools will stay shut today, with Salford, St Helens, Warrington, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire and Hampshire all giving children another day off.
Gatwick Airport's runway was reopened last night after being shut all day with more than 240 flights cancelled, but bosses warned passengers to expect delays and some late-night travellers were left trapped on landed planes because of the conditions.
Easyjet passenger Graham Wilson contacted Sky News Online in the early hours of the morning: "We have been sat on the Tarmac since landing four hours ago with hardly any refreshments and no information stating how much longer we will be here.
"There are about 150 of us on this plane and we are told at least another ten planes out here with us suffering the same fate.
"They won't offload us onto buses or get us to a boarding arm so we can get off. It's an absolute nightmare."