Paris snow causes transport chaos
Drivers told to leave their cars at home as icy and snow-blocked roads left thousands stranded last night
DRIVERS in Paris and the Ile-de-France have been told to leave their cars at home today, as heavy snowfall and ice is causing chaos on the roads.
Parts of the capital and the suburbs witnessed 15cm of snow in just a few hours yesterday afternoon. The snow has now stopped, but is turning to ice, making driving conditions dangerous.
Thousands of drivers had to spend the night in their car, their office, or one of 78 emergency shelters set up by local councils to welcome stranded travellers.
Yesterday's snow paralysed a number of key routes into Paris, many of which remain closed this morning.
They include the N118 in both directions between the Pont de Sèvres to Meudon (Hauts-de-Seine), and parts of the A104, A5B, A4, A3 and N20. Check the traffic situation in real time, and see recommended alternative routes, on the Bison Futé website.
Interior minister Brice Hortefeux, who last night said there was no risk of drivers being stranded in their cars, has today urged everyone in the Ile-de-France to avoid driving unless absolutely essential.
Some 3,500 lorries have been pulled over to service areas to avoid causing any further congestion.
On public transport, the RATP says buses are running "normally or almost normally" within the capital, but buses in the suburbs are likely to be diverted or have their routes curtailed.
There is a near-normal service on the metro, trams and RER A and B, and minor delays on the overground rail network.
Flights from Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports were suspended for several hours yesterday afternoon and remain disrupted this morning, with delays and cancellations.
There is no school transport today in the Yvelines, Essonne, Seine-et-Marne, Oise, Aisne, Marne, Meuse and the Ardennes.
Meanwhile, eight departments in the north-east of France have been put on flood alert by Météo France until at least 16.00 because of melting snow.
They are the Meurthe-et-Moselle, Moselle, Bas-Rhin, Vosges, Haute-Saône, Territoire de Belfort, Doubs and Jura.
Photo: gillespaveau/Flickr
