Snowpocalypse: What to do if your train or plane is delayed by snow
The snow sweeping across the UK brings with it an inevitable helping of travel delay as the country’s transport network struggles in the difficult conditions.
Consumer rights group Which has put together some advice for travellers of what to do in the event their train or plane is cancelled or delayed.
Read more: Snow hits London as Southeastern warns of busier trains
Adam French, a consumer rights expert at Which, said: “If your journey has been cancelled or disrupted due to today’s bad weather, the company you’re travelling with still has a duty of care towards you and should give you clear information about your rights.
“Whether you are entitled to assistance, money back or compensation will depend on your mode of transport and the severity of the delay, so it is always useful to do some research so you are armed with as much information as possible before making your case.”
In the event of train delays, if the company offers Delay Repay, you can make a claim for a cancelled or delayed train regardless of the reason for the delay.
Some train companies will offer a full or partial refund if the delay was 15 minutes or more, for others the delay must have been 30 minutes or more.
Companies not using the Delay Repay scheme do not offer refunds as snow is considered out of the train company’s control.
Planes suffer from the same issue, with flights delayed due to bad weather deemed beyond the airline’s control.
Read more: Brits will burn the most gas in four years in next week's cold snap
However, if your fight is delayed for more than two hours, no matter the reason, passengers in the EU are entitled to two free phone calls, faxes or emails, free meals and refreshments and free hotel accommodation and hotel transfers if an overnight stay is required.
If a flight is delayed or cancelled by more than five hours and you decide not to travel you should be offered an alternative flight or full refund.