Freezing Conditions Set To Return

5 December 2010, 06:55 | Updated: 5 December 2010, 08:55

Freezing temperatures will return to much of the UK today following a temporary reprieve from the big chill.

After days of shivering and travel chaos for commuters, parts of the nation enjoyed a thaw yesterday with snow and ice melting as the mercury rose slightly.

The change allowed travel operators to get Britain's delay-hit transport network moving again.

After temperatures well below zero, London enjoyed a much improved 6C. But it will not last.

Weathermen warned that sub-zero temperatures will be back across Britain this week.

Billy Payne, of MeteoGroup, the Press Association's weather arm, said: "Into next week temperatures drop away again and lots of areas could be struggling to reach zero degrees and there will be sharp frosts."

"It is still very cold into next week but from Wednesday onwards there could be a slight recovery."

Though meteorologists believe Britain has had the worst of the snow, it will continue to fall in Scotland from tonight onwards.

It emerged yesterday that at least seven people have died during the bleak weather.

Amid fears of essential supplies not getting through, the Transport Secretary Philip Hammond yesterday temporarily relaxed restrictions on truckers' working hours.

The nine-hour daily driving limit was raised to 10 hours for HGVs to help vital supplies of fuel, food and gritting salt be delivered.