Heavy snow causes UK travel chaos

Heavy snow and ice has caused widespread travel disruption across the UK.

Many roads across the country are treacherous and even some main roads have not be gritted and are now impassable. Airports across the North of England, including Leeds-Bradford and Manchester, have closed while runways are cleared. Rail travel has also been affect with delays on many lines.

Hundreds of thousands of school children have been sent home as hundreds of schools close in the worst hit areas.

So far Northern England has seen the heaviest snow fall but the wintry weather will move South to the Midlands, Wales and the South-West. Snow began falling in Scotland, which saw overnight temperatures dip to -15C. A further 10cm of snow is forecast over most of the UK with heavier snow on elevated ground.

Local councils have said they have sufficient grit supplies to keep main roads open, however, reports from some areas say that many main roads have been left untreated. Roads in North Worcestershire were covered with snow, ice and slush this morning as many drivers attempted to get home early. The untreated surfaces caused treacherous driving conditions and left roads gridlocked.