Thaw in sight as the mini Beast slowly eases its grip
The cold snap continued to cause travel problems yesterday as icy roads and snow flurries blocked roads. Although Met Office forecasters said the worst of the freezing weather is likely to be over for most of the country and conditions will improve as the week progresses.
The seaside resort of Ilfracombe was “cut off” due to heavy snow yesterday, Devon County Council said. Sergeant Dave Thubron, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said a number of vehicles were stuck in deep drifts in and around Mullacott Cross at Ilfracombe.
In another past of Devon scores of people had to sleep in a school after snow and ice cut off a major road in
south west England, creating treacherous driving conditions. A 64-mile stretch of the A30 was shut down between Bodmin and Exeter as the mini Beast from the East swept in leaving more than 80 people stranded.
They were later moved to a rest centre at Okehampton College at the north side of Dartmoor, where volunteers said they were in good spirits despite the situation.
Richard White, who was helping at the centre, said: “We first of all provide them with something hot to drink and we’ve got blankets, duvets.
“We make sure people get a good night’s sleep, we feed them in the morning and weather-permitting, we prepare them to get back in their cars and on their way.”
Newborn lambs will have been hit by the cold snowy conditions that swept across the UK again this weekend, farmers have warned. The Beast from the East, which gripped the country two weeks ago, led to losses of sheep, including pregnant ewes, particularly in the North, National Sheep Association chief executive Phil Stocker said.
While the “mini Beast from the East” appears to have been shorter and less severe, it has come later in the season when more lambs have been born and may have to be outside because farmers do not have space to keep them inside.
The cold conditions have also prevented spring grass growth, leaving farmers reliant on expensive silage to
give ewes the nutritious food they need to feed their lambs.
There were also numerous disruptions to train services yesterday, and people have been warned to check their journey before travelling today. National Rail Enquiries has urged those travelling on South Western Railway and Great Western Railway, Heathrow Connect, Hull Trains, Island line and Northern to check before travelling as services may be hit by adverse weather.
On Sunday, ice led to delays and cancellations at Gatwick Airport – with 37 flights axed. Some flights were also cancelled yesterday.
“We apologise to all passengers who have been delayed or had flights cancelled tonight, this is due to the prolonged cold snap and the essential de-icing requirements which have mounted during the afternoon and evening,” the airport said on Twitter.
Hundreds of children are enjoying a day off as Devon County Council confirmed the closure of dozens of schools yesterday.
A number of sporting events were cancelled over the weekend, including the Reading Half Marathon. Organisers only confirmed the cancellation of the event “with a heavy heart”, hours before it was due to begin, leaving many outraged at the lack of warning.
But some runners who had been due to take part in the 13.1 mile run decided to stage their own half marathon. Despite health and safety warnings, around 100 runners took part in the unofficial event.
The Met Office has warned that roads, pavements and cycle paths will be slippery, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.
Forecasters said the weather should improve today, with much of the country seeing a “fine and dry”, but warned it will stay very cold because of the wind chill.
Though it will remain cold, temperatures are expected to rise, slowly, as the week goes on.
The Met Office has predicted unsettled conditions, with a mixture of sunny spells, rain and strong winds throughout the week across the country.