LONDON, England - January 6, 2010 - As Britain ground to a standstill today in Arctic conditions, forecasters gave warning the country should brace itself for six more days of snow.
Parts of the country saw 1.5ft (47cm) of snowfall overnight and the freezing temperatures are expected to continue for at least another two weeks.
Hospitals cancelled operations, schools were closed and the Armed Forces had to be called in to help clear roads. All airports were affected by delays and cancellations. The runway at Gatwick closed with more than 80 flights unable to take off.
Salt Union, the company supplying 80% of the country’s grit, admitted it could not cope with the extra demand from councils, raising the prospect of shortages as the big freeze continues.
Some councils have been unable to take delivery of extra supplies while others rationed the use of grit, using it for major roads only, to ensure they had enough to last.
As it was given emergency permission to deliver salt around the clock from its Cheshire base, Scarborough Council was even forced to resort to using sand from the resort’s beach to spread on the roads.
Temperatures overnight on Tuesday dropped -13C (9F) in Aberdeenshire and -10C (14F) in Marham, Norfolk. The Met Office warned that it would snow every day in Britain in the coming week, with a clear north-south divide opening up, the bad weather being concentrated in the south.
With millions unable to get into work, the day is estimated to have cost businesses £690 million.
Parts of the country saw 1.5ft (47cm) of snowfall overnight and the freezing temperatures are expected to continue for at least another two weeks.
Hospitals cancelled operations, schools were closed and the Armed Forces had to be called in to help clear roads. All airports were affected by delays and cancellations. The runway at Gatwick closed with more than 80 flights unable to take off.
Salt Union, the company supplying 80% of the country’s grit, admitted it could not cope with the extra demand from councils, raising the prospect of shortages as the big freeze continues.
Some councils have been unable to take delivery of extra supplies while others rationed the use of grit, using it for major roads only, to ensure they had enough to last.
As it was given emergency permission to deliver salt around the clock from its Cheshire base, Scarborough Council was even forced to resort to using sand from the resort’s beach to spread on the roads.
Temperatures overnight on Tuesday dropped -13C (9F) in Aberdeenshire and -10C (14F) in Marham, Norfolk. The Met Office warned that it would snow every day in Britain in the coming week, with a clear north-south divide opening up, the bad weather being concentrated in the south.
With millions unable to get into work, the day is estimated to have cost businesses £690 million.
Around 1,000 drivers were stranded on the A3 in Hampshire overnight on Tuesday, forcing police, Armed Forces and fire crews to use military trucks and Land Rovers to help evacuate them to rescue centers.
The worst of the weather came in central southern England and parts of the South West and south Wales. Counties most affected included Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Berkshire and parts of Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire.
South East Coast Ambulance Service declared the situation a major incident and warned people to stay indoors.
Hospitals across the country cancelled outpatient appointments and operations as they were swamped with emergency cases.
The worst of the weather came in central southern England and parts of the South West and south Wales. Counties most affected included Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Berkshire and parts of Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire.
South East Coast Ambulance Service declared the situation a major incident and warned people to stay indoors.
Hospitals across the country cancelled outpatient appointments and operations as they were swamped with emergency cases.