Snow chaos round-up

THOUSANDS of children were given a third day off lessons today as schools shut again because playgrounds were judged to be too icy.

Parents faced more problems arranging childcare as at least 15 schools cancelled classes, despite improved weather conditions.

Eight schools were closed in Sutton, three in Tower Hamlets and Quintin Kynaston secondary school in St John's Wood was open only to GCSE and A-level exam pupils.

Jo Shuter, the school's award-winning headteacher, said younger pupils were being kept away for "health and safety reasons".

The playground was too large for staff to treat with its limited supply of grit, she said. Younger pupils — who are "not as sensible"— will be kept at home today until gritting contractors can come in. Ms Shuter said staff had walked in on Monday and Tuesday and the school was open last night for a parents' evening.

At Westminster City school, builders who were on site already were hired to clear the playground of ice.

Yesterday, more than 1,000 schools and nurseries across London closed for a second day, leaving more than 500,000 children with no lessons.

Boroughs said most schools were re-opening today. But in Barnet, Oak Lodge school is partially closed, while the Compton school and Mill Hill school were opening late.

In Camden, more than 30 schools and children's centres re-opened, but South Camden community college has cancelled all after-school and evening activities.

Tower Hamlets said only Bishop Challoner and Langdon Park secondary schools remained closed.

HEATHROW: MORE AIR TRAVEL MISERY BUT TUBES AND TRAINS BACK IN SERVICE

HUNDREDS of air passengers today faced the prospect of being stranded at Heathrow for the third day as the airport struggled to cope with the aftermath of Monday's snow storms.

Although bus, Tube and rail services were back to normal, air passengers were bracing themselves for 10-hour queues and the prospect of another night on the terminal floor as they tried to rebook flights grounded by the extreme weather.

One passenger — 26-year-old Nelly Marinova — is four months pregnant. She spent last night at the airport after the plane she was meant to be catching yesterday back to her native Bulgaria was cancelled — 15 minutes before taking off. BA also lost her luggage.

Mrs Marinova, who has been living in Greenford, said: "Not only have we had to re-book twice but they have lost my suitcase. I can't believe they could just lose it without even leaving the airport."

Mads Larsen, 22, has been at the airport since 6.30am on Monday after flying in from New Zealand.

Mr Larsen, who was due to fly to Copenhagen at 6.30am today, said the whole experience had put him off Britain. He said: "Because the flight was cancelled, I spent 10 hours in a queue to re-book. I got on a flight for yesterday afternoon, but it was cancelled."

A total of 108 flights were cancelled yesterday because of the knock-on effect from the 868 cancelled on Monday. Meanwhile, London's transport bosses have been warned that commuters will not accept a repeat of the chaos despite forecasters predicting further snow this week.

Motoring groups, campaigners and politicians lambasted bus and rail chiefs and London Travelwatch revealed TfL would be asked to explain itself.

Bus and Tube passengers will not be refunded for Monday's travel chaos, TfL said today.

PEDESTRIANS: CAUTION URGED AFTER INJURIES FROM SLIPS AND TRIPS SOAR

PEDESTRIANS are being urged to take care on icy pavements after an increase in injuries. About 500 more people than normal called an ambulance in London yesterday because of the icy conditions and the service is braced for an influx of calls as the weather stays bad.

Forecasters warned icy conditions are set to make tomorrow one of the most dangerous mornings for walkers.

Barnet and Chase Farm hospital's A&E department was so busy yesterday it was forced to close its doors to ambulances, and most other hospitals cancelled all non-urgent surgery because of the weather.

Richard Webber, London Ambulance Service's acting director of operations, said: "Extreme weather this week has placed the London Ambulance Service under severe pressure and our priority has been to get to those patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries.

"More than 5,000 calls were received on Monday — compared with around 3,500 on a normal day — with a large number categorised as being life-threatening. Once the snow had stopped, icy conditions yesterday meant the call rate was still high at around 4,000 and we attended a large number of slips, trips and falls."

He said driving conditions remain difficult for ambulances, and people should "only call 999 in a life-threatening emergency".

A spokesman for NHS London said people should take extra precaution because of the icy surfaces.
Forecasters said temperatures today are likely to reach 5C, meaning snow will begin to melt. As overnight temperatures are set to drop to zero, they fear large areas of pavements could be turned into ice sheets.