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UK weather latest: Icy conditions spark travel disruption across Britain as motorists warned of danger on roads amid cold snap

Icy conditions today sparked travel disruption across the country as the UK is gripped by a bitter cold snap.

Airport runways were closed and rail services cancelled following snowfall across Britain, while there were also a number of accidents on the nation’s roads.

As the mercury hovered around freezing in parts of the country on Wednesday the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for ice that will come into force at 6pm.

Motorists have been warned to take extra care because of hazardous driving conditions as the warning is for ice on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.

The Met Office added that there remains a risk of injury from slips and falls on icy surfaces.

Further rain, sleet and snow is also expected on Wednesday, with possible accumulations in hilly areas.

It comes after the UK was hit by heavy snow on Tuesday, with delighted Londoners sharing pictures of flurries in the capital.

The warning stretches between 6pm on Wednesday and 11am on Thursday, with a risk of some further disruption in the early morning rush hour.

With the freezing conditions particularly affecting the north-west on Wednesday, Liverpool Airport was forced to close its runway for an hour in the morning. Some flights were also delayed at Manchester Airport.

While London’s Tube services were unaffected by a morning whiteout, other National Rail services were not so fortunate.

Merseyrail was forced to cancel services on three lines due to ice stopping electricity from reaching trains, while other services operated with severe delays.

Greater Anglia Rail also advised customers that trains would be running with speed restrictions between Hackney Downs and Cambridge, and warned of cancellations and delays.

Snow in High Wycombe on Wednesday (Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Snow in High Wycombe on Wednesday (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

On the roads, a number of accidents were reported on icy motorways including the M61, M53 and M6, while there were a number of crashes in northern Wales.

But Met Office meteorologist Nicola Maxey told the Standard that travel disruption will ease on Wednesday afternoon as the bitter temperatures gradually rise.

She said most of the country “is going to have a good day, with plenty of sunshine throughout” – but that temperatures will still remain cold ahead of another overnight freeze.

Thursday is expected to be sunny but cold again, especially in central and eastern parts. Heavy clouds are expected in the west.