Snow causes travel delays for many in the UK

The people of London woke up Monday 12th of December to their roads covered in snow just weeks before Christmas. This was a result of temperatures which had a maximum of 2 degrees.

The snow was both a joy and disappointment to many as it brought the city into the Christmas spirit. This had many families going out celebrating by building snowmen and snow angels.

However, the snow also caused problems for some and came as an inconvenience. With the added train strikes there were many difficulties in necessary travel.

20-year-old Jessica Twohey said: “On the day that it snowed I had to go to university, but because there were train strikes as well, it meant that I couldn’t go in. The snow caused extra delays, especially in my area because they didn’t prepare any of the roads for the snow.

It was very slippery so it wasn’t safe for me to get to the bus stop let alone if the trains were actually running. And because of all the delays it meant I had to study and do my exam from home which isn’t the most ideal considering my current living situation.

Afterwards I had to go to work. But with work it was different because I still had to go in regardless of the conditions. But the buses weren’t running so I ended up having to pay to get a cab which I can’t really afford but I also can’t afford to not go to work.”

Picture of London snowing credited by: The Sun

With the cost of living crisis still an issue, many could not afford to miss work because of the snow, which further lead to the safely risk of many in the UK.

Many university students were in panic about the snow, especially with the lead up to Christmas when going to and from school. Students that go to university inside and outside London both suffered and travel being very limited.

18-year-old Kara Teelockdharry, who studies at University of Canterbury, said: “I was in London for that weekend staying at my parents’ house as I was visiting. I was supposed to go back to school on Monday as I didn’t finish school until Friday 16th.

When it started to snow on Sunday it got really heavy so I couldn’t drive back on Sunday as the M25 was completely full of traffic and snow. And because I go to school in Canterbury it snowed even heavier in South East England. So my plan was Monday morning I would go back on the train.

However, on Monday morning not only was my train cancelled but the whole day of trains was cancelled. So I was not able to go back to university to even grab my stuff for my whole winter holiday.”

Snow is often very uncommon in London; therefore, proper measures were not taken into effect in terms of safety and travel. This caused obstacles for many people and resulted in cancelled classes. However, with work still being compulsory led to cab travel, but with the cost of living crisis, it can be seen as another unnecessary spend.

The Canterbury student concluded: “Snow was very inconvenient for me because it cancelled the trains and made it exceptionally hard to get back.”

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “Our advice is to be winter ready – check tyres are properly inflated and good tread, while topping up oil, coolant and screen wash levels if needed.”