FOG OVER LONDON

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20130, 27 December 1939, Page 7

FOG OVER LONDON

TRAFFIC HELD UP BUSES AT STANDSTILL TRAVEL TOO DANGEROUS (Reed. Dec. 27. 9 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 25. Apart from the war and black-out condition, dense fog for three days and nights made this Christmas memorable for Londoners. Buses and trams, in accordance with custom, ceased running at 4 p.m. today, but there was no usual Christmas stream of cars and taxis on the roads, which were practically deserted. Difficulties in transport caused many parties to be abandoned. People stayed in their homes, where families gathered in the afternoon listening to the King broadcast. Biggest Upset

The biggest upset occurred on Christmas Eve, when many taximen went home as early as 4.30 p.m. Buses and trams in many places were brought to a standstill and the drivers, after holding little meetings on the roadside, decided it was too dangerous to proceed and left their passengers to face long walks home.

Long-distance trains during the week-end spent two or three hours after being brought to a standstill near London.

A steamer from the Channel Islands, with 200 passengers aboard, spent three nights at sea on what is normally a six-hour crossing to a south coast port.