Snow only thing landing on runways as flights diverted
HUNDREDS of passengers faced delays and diversions after heavy snow and ice at airports, yesterday.
Manchester closed both runways until 11.30am, disrupting at least 24 flights. Manchester-bound flights from Singapore and Texas had to land at Heathrow and Paris respectively, according to FlightRadar24.
“We have temporarily closed both runways. Health and safety will always be our top priority and operations will resume at the earliest opportunity,” the airport said in a statement.
Flights resumed before noon but dozens had already been sent elsewhere, cancelled or delayed.
Edinburgh Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport also paused air travel temporarily.
Police warned motorists in the North West to be cautious as they responded to accidents on several major roads.
Drivers were advised to leave the car at home and travel on foot, as the RAC reported a 25 per cent rise in callouts.
Temperatures were forecast to plummet as low as -10C with wintry downpours and “freezing fog” expected, in a front dubbed the “Troll of Trondheim”.
The Met Office issued a yellow snow and ice warning for London, the South East and other parts of the country for today and tomorrow.
It said the conditions could lead to travel disruption into tomorrow with power cuts and mobile phone signal outages in rural areas.
Steve Willington, chief meteorologist, said: “There is a risk of a band of sleet or snow moving into the far South East on Sunday. If this happens it could potentially bring some disruption, especially to rush hour on Monday.”
The UK Health Security Agency extended its level three cold weather alert until Friday.
Thameslink rail services were delayed and cancelled after its equipment froze. Rod Dennis from the RAC said: “The big freeze continues today and those heading out on the roads must be alert to the risk of ice, especially in the South and West of the UK, which are covered by weather warnings. Leaving the car at home and going on foot perhaps makes the most sense – and especially so if people are planning on drinking any alcohol.
“Yesterday was an exceptionally busy day for breakdowns, with the equivalent of around 400 drivers breaking down every hour – similar to what we’d expect on a Monday in December.”