Snow causing travel problems across News Shopper region (From News Shopper)

Snow causing travel problems across News Shopper region

11:15am Sunday 5th February 2012 in Traffic & Travel By Robert Fisk

SNOW is causing problems for train passengers today and drivers are warned to be careful while Transport for London says it has managed to keep London ‘open for business’.

Train Problems

This morning Southeastern says it is working with Network Rail to keep the railway lines free of ice and snow and the trains running.

But it says there will be disruption and cancelled services because there are several inches of snow in places.

Due to snowfall, Southern also says its services are disrupted and trains are subject to delay and cancellation.

Journey times on its network are taking up to 30 minutes longer.

Warning for drivers

The Highways Agency urged motorists to take extra care on the roads and the RAC says motorists face a "dangerous cocktail of driving conditions".

Kent Police is warning people not to travel unless "absolutely essential", and urged people not to cause an obstruction if forced to abandon their vehicles.

A spokesman said: "Kent Police is advising people to be prepared and take great care.

“If drivers feel their journey is essential, they should listen to traffic updates on local broadcasts before setting off."

London 'open for business'

But there is better news from Transport for London which says London is ‘open for business’.

TfL’s managing director of surface transport Leon Daniels said: "We have worked tirelessly from Saturday afternoon and throughout the night, gritting the capital's main roads every few hours and running deicing trains along the London Underground network.

"Around 2,000 tonnes of grit has been spread by TfL and boroughs and all main roads and the vast majority of local roads are open and traffic running smoothly.

"Bus routes are all operating this morning and there were only a few curtailments on night bus routes overnight.

"We're working hard to keep planned services running on all Tube, DLR and London Overground lines and to keep London moving.

"So London is open for business today, but clearly people should take care on the roads and allow plenty of time for their journeys."