Snow on the tracks: Chaos for commuters

Monday, 02, Feb 2009 11:37

People are being urged to only travel if absolutely necessary today after heavy snowfall saw the rail and road services in the south-east shudder to a halt.

Routes in and into London have been the worst affected, with National Rail Enquiries reporting that 12 operating companies using the capital have problems with their services.

Train routes affected by snow – check before you travel:

• c2c, First Capital Connect, National Express East Coast, First Great Western, Gatwick Express, National Express East Anglia, London overground, Southeastern, Southern, South West Trains, Stansted Express, Virgin Trains

"Because of poor weather conditions in several areas of Southern England, journeys on many routes are subject to severe delays," a spokesperson said.

"Further heavy snowfall is forecast throughout today and disruption is likely to continue throughout Monday."

Up to 30cm of snow is forecast on Monday and Tuesday as the UK is blanketed in its heaviest snowfall for almost two decades.

In London all bus and Tramlink services have been cancelled, while tube lines are either suspended or subject to severe delays.

"Heavy snowfall across the London area last night has severely disrupted transport services and further snow is forecast throughout Monday. The advice is to check before you travel, expect disruption and if your journey is neccesary then allow more time for your journey," a spokesperson for Transport for London said.

"The biggest difficulty today is the road conditions which are extremely dangerous and drivers should take extreme care.

"Bus services were suspended throughout London last night on the grounds of passenger safety due to the unsafe road conditions resulting in a large number of traffic incidents across London. Services remain suspended but we aim to restore services as soon as possible once roads have been treated and it is safe to recommence services."