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Storms Cause Travel Chaos

18th January 2007 With winds of up to 80mph sweeping across the UK, air, rail and road travel has been severely affected.

TD have unconfirmed reports of Manchester Airport closing until at least 6pm tonight. British Airways and bmi have both cancelled a number of flights from Heathrow and Lufthansa has confirmed that many short haul flights will be be cancelled. Other airports across the country are also affected.

The Highways Agency have released the following statement: "Severe high winds have closed the following bridges in the North West to all traffic - Thelwall Viaduct (M6) between junctions 21 and 20, Barton Bridge (M60) between junctions 10 and 11, Weaver Viaduct (M56) between junctions 12 and 14 Gathurst Bridge (M6) between junctions 25 and 26. Dartford river crossing (M25/A282) between j31 and 1. Restricted service through tunnels only. Drivers are being advised NOT to travel at all unless absolutely necessary. 20 MPH signs are being set across the network."

According to the reports from the BBC, Friday is expected to be calmer but the country could be facing a cold snap next week. Despite an unusually mild start to January, forecasters have warned that temperatures are likely to plummet beyond the weekend.

Further Information:
www.bbc.co.uk
www.britishairways.com
www.baa.org.uk
www.highways.gov.uk/news/breakingnews.aspx

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