Snow hits holiday travel plans

SNOW across the north of France and south of England has hit the travel plans of thousands of people.

Seventeen departments are on orange alert for snow (Basse-Normandie region, Haute-Normandie region, Ile-de-France region plus the Aisne, Eure-et-Loir, Marne and Oise departments) with drivers warned to keep "extreme vigilance" in case of icy conditions.

A wave of snow is moving across the north of the country from Normandy, across Paris to Picardy and the Marne.
In Normandy 10cm is expected to fall today; however, temperatures are due to rise in the coming days, bringing rain across the country.

Paris and UK airports were hit over the weekend with up to 6,000 people spending the night in Charles de Gaulle airport. Most airports have since reopened, but with many delays and cancellations.

Train services in the north are affected, including the Eurostar (see roundup). TGVs on the Loire Atlantic route are travelling under speed restrictions.

This morning engineers are working to restore power to 15,000 homes in the north of France (3,000 in the Eure, 5,000 in the Ardennes, 1,500 in the Oise, 2,000 in the Côtes d'Armor, 2,000 in the Orne and 1,500 in the Seine-Maritime).

Travel roundup(last update midday)
Airports:

Paris Orly: Due to allow reduced number of flights this afternoon. Access to airport difficult, allow plenty of time.

Paris Charles de Gaulle: Open, but knock-on delays and cancellations expected. Access to airport difficult, allow plenty of time.

Paris Beauvais: Open, but delays are hitting some flights.

Lyon Saint Exupéry: Open, but many cancellations

London Heathrow: Limited services from 06.00 GMT today, but delays and cancellations expected

London Gatwick: Open, but knock-on delays and cancellations expected

London Stansted: Open, but knock-on delays and cancellations expected

Edinburgh: Open, but delays and cancellations expected

Belfast International Airport: Open, but delays and cancellations expected

Glasgow International Airport: Open, but delays and cancellations expected

Manchester Airport: Open, but delays and cancellations expected

Cardiff Airport: Closed all day. Do not travel to the airport.

Bristol airport: Delays and cancellations.

Bournemouth Airport: Closed until 14.00.

Eurostar: Running a reduced timetable. Passengers on the French side are advised to arrive one hour before departure and will be put on the next available train.

The train operator warns that queues and delays are likely after cancellations over the weekend. Speed restrictions are in place which could extend travel time up to two hours.

Ticket sales have been stopped until December 24 inclusive.