**Three Eurostar trains have broken down in the Channel Tunnel due to cold weather, as more snow is expected to cause disruption in parts of Britain.**The temperature difference between the chilly open air and warm tunnel under the English Channel caused the trains to break down, Eurostar said.
It said a rescue locomotive was trying to get them out.
More snow and freezing temperatures are is expected for parts of Scotland and south-east and eastern England.
The three trains were all from Paris to London. Two further trains travelling from Brussels and Paris heading for the tunnel were turned back.
Eurostar spokesman Grant Smith explained the reasons behind the breakdown of the trains, which has affected hundreds of passengers.
Bad driving conditions
He said: "It’s snowing in northern France. It’s very, very cold. The weather conditions are very, very bad.
“There’s a difference in temperature between outside the tunnel and inside. And that’s why it causes technical problems.”
Driving conditions are treacherous in much of England.
The east of England is expected to receive about 5cm (2in) of snow and the Kent coast up to 20cm (8in) over night.
Kent Police reported delays to the county’s ports and to the Eurotunnel.
However the snowfall will not be as heavy as on Thursday night which led to hundreds of school closures, travel chaos and thousands of power outages.
The BBC weather unit said the snow showers would die out in south-east and eastern England by Saturday morning and much of the country would wake to a dry and bright day.
ADVICE TO ROAD USERS
- Do not travel in severe weather unless journey is essential
- Check local and national weather forecasts before setting out and take warm clothes, food, water, boots, a torch and spade
- Drive with care even after roads are salt treated and keep your distance - it can take 10 times longer to stop in icy conditions
Source: Highways Agency
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However more treacherous driving conditions are predicted as rain, sleet and snow passes down through Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and Wales throughout Saturday afternoon and evening.
The BBC weather unit said this would be followed by freezing temperatures leaving widespread icy condition across England by Sunday morning.
Kent Police said there are currently traffic hold-ups on main routes in the Folkestone and Dover area and that the Eurotunnel is experiencing delays due to weather conditions in France.
There are also problems at the Port of Dover because of the extra traffic.
On Friday evening Easyjet also said there would be further delays and cancellations.
FORECAST FROM BBC WEATHER
More details from BBC Weather
The carrier warned passengers whose flights had been cancelled on Friday that they may not be able to transfer on to flights for a few days.
Easyjet also warned against going directly to airports to make alternative arrangements because of the huge numbers of passengers already there, in particular at Luton and Gatwick.
Meanwhile the BBC’s Kirsty Lang, at Heathrow Airport, reported on Friday night that 350 British Airways passengers who had been due to fly to Cape Town at 2145 BST the previous evening were still waiting to depart.
The harsh conditions have also cancelled a number of sporting fixtures planned for the weekend.
Friday evening’s Heineken Cup clash between Newport Gwent Dragons and Biarritz was called off due to a partially-frozen pitch.
And there have been several casualties among the weekend’s Football League fixture list with the Coca-Cola League Two game at home to Lincoln on Friday night the first to go.
On Saturday, the games at Aldershot and Colchester have also been called off.
And for the second day in a row, there will be no racing at Ascot on Saturday due to the snow.