Heaviest snowfall in 18-year brings life to standstill
London woke up to a heavy snow blanket, the heaviest in 18 years, and all bus services and major underground networks were cancelled and schools closed, reports Vijay Dutt.
London woke up to a heavy snow blanket, the heaviest in 18 years, and all bus services and major underground networks were cancelled and schools closed.
With London — the Indians’ populated Harrow and Middlesex experienced heaviest snowfall — the hardest hit, the Capital’s bus services were withdrawn amid dangerous driving conditions.
Overground railways in south east of England were also badly affected, with some rail firms cancelling all train services in and out of London.
Many mainline commuter rail services were also cancelled or delayed.
Heathrow airport closed both its runways. Two Air-India planes had to be towed out of snow, as were planes of other airlines at Heathrow.
Gatwick airport, the city’s second largest, and Stansted, to the northeast, said they expected similar problems, while London City airport in the heart of the British capital said it was closed until further notice.
Tens of thousands of commuters were advised not to make the journey into work in the British capital. But many workers attempted to walk to their offices, trudging through thick snow.
The streets in London looked as if they were under curfew.
A few cars crawled along the icy streets to avoid accidents, and in areas outside the centre there was an eerie quiet as many drivers avoided the dangerous conditions altogether.
The AA warned motorists to ensure they keep warm clothes in the car after dealing with unprepared drivers “flirting with hypothermia” at breakdowns during the last big freeze.