British weather causes travel chaos
10 March 2008Travel insurance became a necessity for many people across Britain today when severe weather conditions caused disruption to a number of services.
On the morning of March 10th the UK was hit by the worst storm of the winter, with gale-force winds of 80mph buffeting Ireland and the western coasts of Wales, England and Scotland.
Severe weather and flood warnings were issued by meteorological centres as power supplies were cut off and trees uprooted, causing problems for travel infrastructure.
Some 41 flights out of Heathrow were cancelled, while 11 departing services were called off at Gatwick and some inbound planes were diverted to other airports.
Ferry passengers also saw their plans scuppered when the Dover seaport was closed and P&O Ferries was unable to operate any of its services.
Many travellers opted to use train services through the Channel Tunnel, with Eurostar unaffected by the severe weather.
Prime minister Gordon Brown held an emergency meeting on the evening of March 9th to discuss the storm, which could continue throughout March 10th and even into the week.