Traffic chaos in UK due to heavy snowfall; Bristol, Bournemouth airports close runways

Heavy snowfall has caused disruptions for commuters across the UK on Friday as drivers abandoned cars and airports have been forced to close runways.

The southwest of England has been worst affected and the Met Office has issued a ''treacherous driving conditions'' warning in some southern areas.

Bristol and Bournemouth airports were forced to close runways while Newquay Airport had been closed completely on Friday morning while British Airways has warned some short-haul flights to and from Heathrow may be cancelled.

Dozens of motorists had abandoned their vehicles overnight on the A30 dual carriageway which has disrupted efforts to clear the road and South West Railway has warned of cancellations while tracks are cleared of snow.