British storms - pressure on infrastructure

Chaos in the worst spring snow for decades

BRITAIN is in the grip of the worst spring snowstorm for decades with the extreme cold set to last until Easter.

Express,

22 March, 2013

As forecasters last night ­predicted another 10 days of freezing temperatures, experts warned gas supplies could run out within days because of a surge in demand.

Stocks have fallen to 10 per cent and extra gas will have to be bought in from Norway, sparking fears that energy prices could rocket. Up to a foot of snow fell yesterday with more expected today. Blizzards are forecast this weekend, adding to travel chaos.

The energy crisis escalated last night after Sellafield nuclear power station in Cumbria was shut down temporarily as a precaution due to the Arctic weather.

The Met Office said further heavy snowfalls were expected overnight and this morning, with virtually the entire country at risk.

The South-west, which escaped yesterday’s snow, was lashed by torrential rain, triggering devastating flash floods.

In Looe, Cornwall, a woman died when her block of flats was hit by a landslide. The Environment Agency last night warned further downpours in the area threatened to cause further flooding and “significant disruption”.

Severe weather warnings for snow are in place today and tomorrow with a more serious amber alert for central regions.

Up to 16ins of snow could fall over high ground. Met Office forecaster Graeme Anderson said the Midlands and North were expected to be worst hit but the snow could reach as far south as London.

“It is looking pretty bad already and we are expecting more snow to arrive overnight Friday and into Saturday morning,” he said. “Quite widely we could see 6ins and this could cause some problems. People should be prepared for disruption.”

Jonathan Powell, forecaster for Vantage Weather Services, said there would be no ­let-up to the cold until Easter with lows of -15C (5F) possible all next week.

“Freezing cold conditions are going to extend into next week with brutally cold winds sweeping in from the North,” he said.

“Without a doubt we are in the grip of the worst spring snowstorm for decades and the extreme conditions are likely to take us right up to Easter.

“Across the whole country temperatures are going to struggle to get above freezing during the day, turning roads into deadly stretches of ice and causing significant disruption.” Relentless heavy snow yesterday caused mayhem on the roads while tens of thousands of children enjoyed a day off as schools closed.

Almost 100,000 homes in Northern Ireland were left without power after gales brought down power lines. Belfast airport was closed and Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Russia, due to take place last night, was postponed until 3pm today.

In North Wales almost 200 schools were shut as the region was battered by strong winds and 10ins of snow. Roads were closed after drivers were stranded in their cars and a lorry was blown over in Bangor.

Supermarkets reported food flying off the shelves as the snow showed no signs of easing. Supplies were airlifted to Co-op stores on the Isle of Man in a Hercules aircraft after ferry services were cancelled.

The Travelodge hotel chain reported a surge in last-minute bookings as travellers were forced to change their plans.

The extreme weather also sparked a boom in foreign holidays. Thomson said bookings to warmer destinations including the Mediterranean had rocketed by more than 70 per cent compared with last year.

But the Arctic conditions failed to deter bride Kerrie Easton, who enjoyed the ultimate white wedding as she braved the cold in a low-cut gown. Kerrie, of Illingworth, near Halifax, West Yorks, shivered as she arrived at snow-covered Bradshaw church flanked by family members to be married to Keiron Kendall.

The weather has forced families across the country to crank up their heating, resulting in gas supplies running worryingly low. In January reserves stood at 86 per cent of capacity, now there is just 10 per cent left. The Government last night insisted the UK’s gas needs would be met. A spokeswoman for the Department for Energy and Climate Change said although storage levels were low, there were other sources available.

“Protracted cold weather increases demand but the UK gas market is functioning well and our gas needs are continuing to be met.

“More than half of our gas needs are still provided from the North Sea but it’s a reality that we now rely on a diverse range of sources.

“This includes North Sea production, pipelines from Norway and the EU, shipments of liquefied natural gas from further afield, and storage.”

Energy consultant Andrew Horstead warned: “There is immense pressure on the existing infrastructure. We are almost maxed out from imports through pipelines. The big concern is that there is very little flexibility left in the system.” Experts warned a shortage of gas could push household energy bills up by 15 per cent by next year, adding more than £200 to the average dual fuel bill.

Mark Todd, of energyhelpline.com, said: “This is a very worrying situation and it means that price rises could be much closer than we originally thought.

“It is also emerging that traders are buying gas and putting it into storage to resell at higher prices when the demand increases. This will also push up prices.”

The average household dual-fuel bill has already more than doubled over the past ­decade to around £1,400 a year.

In April Norway will reduce the capacity of its pipeline for maintenance work, putting more pressure on the system 

Farmers 'abandoned' due to heavy snow in Northern Ireland

Farmers have been "abandoned and left to fend for themselves" as heavy snow continues to block roads, a Northern Ireland Assembly member has claimed.

BBC,

23 March, 2013

Independent MLA Basil McCrea described the situation as "an emergency" and called on the Stormont's Department of Agriculture to respond.

Sinn Fein's Oliver McMullan said blocked roads in north Antrim were badly affecting rural families.

The MLA said the weather conditions were the worst he had seen in years.

Mr McMullan said he has taken several calls from concerned constituents, some of whom have not been able to access their farms and homes since Friday due to impassable roads.

He said they were asking for more help because they have not been able to feed their animals or check on them for days.

Battle

He added that it was the "worst possible time" for such a thing to happen as many stranded sheep were lambing.

Both Mr McMullan and Mr McCrea paid tribute to emergency crews who were trying to clears roads and restore services, but they said much more had to be done.

In a statement, Mr McCrea said: "As emergency services battle valiantly to restore power and services to the greatest number of affected people, those living in isolated and rural areas, particularly farmers, are abandoned and left to fend for themselves.

"The snow is simply too deep for even farming equipment to clear the minor roads. Animals are in distress because of lack of feed, farm buildings are collapsing."

The Lagan Valley MLA said farmers who were trying to reach their animals were facing serious dangers.

Rescue team

Mr McMullan, who lives in a rural area near Cushendall, said the snow at his own house was in excess of 3ft (0.9m) in height and was blocking his windows.

He said the snow had reached the same height as fences along some rural roads and farming families could not clear it without help.

The Sinn Fein representative said a local mountain rescue team had to be called in to bring medication to an elderly woman who has been snowed in since Friday.