hips don't lie: Latest travel advice: Four UK airports closed and flights delayed as ice and snow continue to cause problems

By
Travelmail Reporter

PUBLISHED:

05:46 EST, 21 January 2013

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UPDATED:

05:49 EST, 21 January 2013

Four UK airports are closed this morning and dozens of other flights across the country have been delayed as snow and ice hamper travel plans.

Norwich, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford and Robin Hood Doncaster airports are all currently closed.

Heathrow says at least 10 per cent of its flights, around 155, will be axed as they struggle to cope with more snow and poor visibility.

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Frosty reception: The icy conditions across much of the UK are showing no signs of abating

Heathrow said it had spent millions to improve its ability to cope with icy weather after the airport was virtually shut down by snow for several days in December 2010.

But it said that unlike airports with spare runway capacity, it could not space out aircraft during low visibility without causing disruptions.

“Because Heathrow operates at almost full capacity, there is simply no room to reschedule the delayed flights,” it said in a statement.

Freezing temperatures – as low as -13C (9F) in some areas – are expected to keep snow and ice on the ground well into next week. And it means parts of Britain could be colder than Vladivostock, Siberia, which is experiencing temperatures of -9C (16F).

Dave Britton, of the Met Office, said: ‘It is going to be a very, very cold week. In the places where it’s not snowing it is going to be very icy.

‘Some of this ice and snow might melt during the day but it will rapidly freeze again overnight so the weather will be quite treacherous everywhere. The snow and ice on the ground will not be going anywhere fast.’

Many roads were described as ‘skating rinks’ yesterday and were expected to get worse as snow continued to fall.

Below, find the latest updates on rail, ferry and airports.

How the weather is affecting your travel plans: Rail, ferry and airport updates

AIRPORTS

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Ice: A plane manages to taxi in spite of the inclement weather at Heathrow yesterday

MANCHESTER: Runway One currently closed

BIRMINGHAM: Operational but with some delays

NORWICH: Closed

EAST MIDLANDS: Closed

ROBIN HOOD DONCASTER: Closed

GATWICK: Open – running as normal although expect some delays from disruption at other airports

STANSTED: Open and operational

LUTON: Open with minor delays

EDINBURGH: Open – check with airlines before travelling

LEEDS BRADFORD: Closedfor runway clearing

HEATHROW: Open but with ten per cent of flights – around 155 – not operating

LIVERPOOL JOHN LENNON: Open – check with airlines before travelling

NEWCASTLE: Open but with disruptions – check with airlines before travelling

HUMBERSIDE: Open but with disruptions – check with airlines before travelling

SOUTHAMPTON: Open – check with airlines before travelling

EUROSTAR

The bad weather has put speed restrictions in place meaning all Eurostar services are delayed by around an hour. Passengers due to travel today can exchange tickets.