Britain Braces For Second Winter Storm
 

Britain is set to see a second week of weather disruption as a winter storm sweeping in from the south west could dump snow over Wales, the Midlands and the north.


White out: a farmhouse in the Yorskhire Dales after a week of heavy snow
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Strong winds are forecast to blow in heavy rain to many regions, while the cold snap gripping freezing Britain continues.

Sky News weather presenter Lucy Verasamy said: "A few inches of snow will fall on higher ground at inland spots. There will also be brisk winds and a risk of blizzards in those higher areas.

"But with lots of rain plus snow in southern regions, [Monday evening's] rush hour could take a hit."

As sub-zero conditions continue, pressure is growing on the country's salt stocks which are used to help keep roads passable.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears told Sky News: "We are now buying in from abroad. I have just heard that we are getting some salt from Italy, there is boat from Tunisia on its way.

"These are once in 20-year occurrences, so obviously we are not going to keep these stocks all the time, it would be a waste of taxpayers' money."

Gloucestershire County Council sent out gritters with table salt to treat roads in the county on Sunday afternoon.

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Stocks of rock salt have been running low, forcing the council to resort to ordering 500 tonnes of normal white salt.

It was mixed with two thirds rock salt to be spread on 'A' roads.

The Local Government Association says efforts to make the roads safe are under control and the Highways Agency has been making deliveries of salt to hard-pressed local authorities.

The public have again been warned of the dangers associated with the winter conditions after a six-year-old boy died after falling into a frozen pond.

Meanwhile an inquest is to open into the death of a gifted A-level student in a tragic sledging accident last week