Weather plays havoc with travel schedules

THOUSANDS of Eurostar passengers anxious to get away for Christmas battled for train places out of London yesterday as heavy rains and freezing conditions sparked yet more travel chaos across Europe.

At least three people died in road accidents in Britain and northern Italy overnight after heavy snowfall, while frozen airports sparked further flight delays and a Ryanair jet that departed Dublin slid off the runway in Scotland.

Meanwhile, floodwaters drenched most of Venice as a combination of wind, rain and the lagoon city’s periodic tidal phenomenon saw water levels rise by 143cm (56 inches), a record for the year.