Post date: Mar 23, 2013 4:32:26 PM
Drivers are forced to abandon their vehicles as heavy snowfall causes disruption across the United Kingdom.
NEAR MILLOM, CUMBRIA, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MARCH 23, 2013) (ITN) - Heavy snow has forced many roads in the northwest English county ofCumbria to close, with at least 70 drivers stranded and many forced to abandon their vehicles.
Severe weather conditions across many parts of the United Kingdom have caused disruption to communities, brought down powerlines and closed regional airports.About 70 people who had been driving in Cumbria were unable to make it home and were forced to stay overnight at Millom High School or in local hotels.
In the West Midlands, a gritter toppled onto its side in the slippery conditions inShropshire.
In Northern Ireland, there were still 35,000 customers without electricity on Saturday and 6000 homes were without power in south-west Scotland.
Heavy snowfall forced the closure of runways at the East Midlands, Humberside and Leeds Bradford airports.
It wasn't all doom and gloom though: in south-west London, Merton Police tried to lighten the mood by tweeting a picture of two snowmen, dressed in police garb.
"We also have special snow police that we use," read their accompanying message.
The meteorological office said the freezing conditions were expected to last for a few days.