Highgate versus the volcano - local impact of Icelandic cloud

By LiseS | Tuesday, April 20, 2010, 18:07

Highgate residents have been prominent among those affected by the fallout from the erupting volcano Eyjafjallajökull this week.

The view down from Highgate Hill, yesterday

The independent Highgate School has reported disruption to class timetables after 30 students and 20 staff were left stranded abroad by the ash cloud covering northern Europe. With the summer GCSE and A-level season looming, headmaster Adam Pettitt has promised those classes will be given timetable priority to minimise impact on exam preparations.

Hundreds of staff and students at other schools in the area have also been stuck overseas by the cancellation of flights to London, and disruption to classes is expected to continue into this week, although no school closures have been reported. Local authorities advise checking individual school websites for information over the next few days.

Local man Thom Noble also made the papers after being forced to ride a second-hand ladies bicycle up the ramp of a Norfolkline ferry after the operator said it couldn't sell him a foot passenger ticket. Several passengers are reported to have bought bicycles in Dunkirk in order to qualify for the ferry tickets, only to ditch them again in Dover.

Cross-channel ferries have been allowed to carry 10% more passengers than their usual legal limit by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, provided they are sailing in daytime and in fair conditions. Rail travel from Europe is currently affected by French rail strikes, and Eurostar says its services are fully booked until Friday; but extra services are being added, so travellers should keep checking the website.

Flights are operating in and out of Spain, meaning travellers stranded

in other parts of the world can reach Europe, and the Department of

Transport is set to send a fleet of coaches to Madrid for onward travel

to the UK this week. The HMS Albion picked up 300 holidaymakers today from northern Spain, with plans to send further Royal Navy ships across the channel later this week. It is not yet known when flights will resume to and from London airports.

Has the volcanic ashcloud disrupted your life in Highgate this week? Let us know your stories below!

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Comments

Heathrow Airport is now open which is good for the people who have been left stranded because of the volcanic ash from Iceland. Sadly, though, places like Waterlow Park won't be peaceful for much longer, especially if more flights are put onat night to clear the backlog.

By delilahc at 14:29 on 21/04/10
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I just like the absence of planes flying over London at the moment, it's peaceful.

By Otliensian at 06:03 on 21/04/10
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It's a good job we don't have any airports locally. It just goes to show, you can't be too careful.

By darien at 21:59 on 20/04/10
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