DELAYS caused by snow tonight could be experienced again tomorrow as freezing temperatures set in.

South Eastern Trains is warning travellers they may face delays on the trains during rush hour this evening.

All lines are currently open but many services are subject to delays and cancellations because of the snow.

Ice is expected to form on the tracks as the temperature drops tonight.

South Eastern Trains says it is working with Network Rail in a bid to keep disruption to a minimum.

Replacement buses have been ordered to be on stand-by in key locations tonight and tomorrow morning.

A spokesman for South Eastern Trains said: "Due to snowy weather conditions today, many of our trains are delayed and some have been cancelled.

"We are working to restore a normal service and will keep you updated. We are sorry your journey may be delayed today."

The Highways Agency says it has not been made aware of any incidents causing problems on the A2, M25 or M20.

So far no delays have been reported on these roads.

The agency says motorists making a journey this evening should go prepared with warm clothes and an emergency pack including food, water, boots, de-icer, a torch and a spade.

Motorists are also asked to listen to travel updates on their radios.

A spokesman said: "Our gritters and snow ploughs have been out all night and now that the traffic has got onto the salt and ground it into the road it is melting quite nicely.

"However we would advise not travelling unless it is absolutely necessary."

With many commuters taking note of the warning and staying at home, much of the predicted travel chaos did not materialise this morning.

However, a jack-knifed lorry on the A22 London-bound road had a knock-on effect on the surrounding areas and caused traffic queues on the M25 at junction 6.

Last night saw snowfall of up to 5cm, prompting the Met Office to issue a severe weather warning.

The worst of the cold weather is over, according to News Shopper's very own weatherman.

Ian Currie says north Kent and south east London might see a bit of snow tomorrow evening.

However, this will be followed by a period of unsettled, mild weather with temperatures around eight degrees celsius.

News Shopper's regions are likely to be hit with high winds and rain from Monday next week.

Flooding may even occur.

Mr Currie says today's snow could have been the worst experienced since 1991.

But he said: "You can take your hats and gloves off by next Sunday or Monday."

Trains

South Eastern Trains braced itself for the weather by running empty "ghost" trains along their tracks throughout the night to prevent snow gathering on the rails.

Network Rail also contributed by spreading de-icer on the lines.

But despite these efforts, trains on the Sidcup and Bexleyheath lines experienced problems just after 7am this morning and both services have been diverted to the North Kent line.

Biggin Hill Airport opened at 9am today, an hour-and-a-half later than usual.

Maintenance crews worked through the night spreading anti-icing fluid on the runways before brushing and ploughing the snow away.

Schools closed in north Kent

Dartford: Rowhill School, Stock Lane, Wilmington; Milestone School, Milestone Road, Dartford; Craylands School, Craylands Lane, Swanscombe; Butterflies Pre school, Devon Road, South Darenth; Gateway primary, Milestone Road, Dartford; Barn End Centre, High Road, Wilmington (closed to pupils coming on minibus or taxi, but open to children who would normally walk to school).

Gravesend: Singlewell kindergarten, Hever Court Road, Gravesend; Northfleet Nursery School, London Road, Gravesend; Steep Hill school in Fawkham, off Castle Hill, Longfield; Bronte School, Pelham Road, Gravesend; Ifield School, Cedar Avenue, Gravesend (open for those who can get to it).

Schools closed in Bromley

Oaklands Infant and Junior, Biggin Hill Infant and Junior, Scotts Park Primary, Parish Primary, Downe Primary, Phoenix Pre-School, Leesons Primary, Cudham Primary, St Paul's Cray Primary, Blenheim Primary, Balgowan Primary, Green Street Green Primary (from 1.30pm), Downderry Primary School.

Schools closed in Greenwich

Primary schools: Cherry Orchard, Rectory Field Crescent, Charlton; Notre Dame, Eglinton Road, Plumstead; Shooters Hill Post 16 College, Red Lion Lane, Shooters Hill; South Rise, Brewery Road, Plumstead; St Joseph's (afternoon only), Commerell Street, Greenwich; St Thomas A Becket, Mottisfont Road, Abbey Wood; Thorntree, Thorntree Road, Charlton; Waterside, Robert Street, Plumstead; Wingfield, Moorhead Way, Kidbrooke.

Secondary schools: Kidbrooke School, Corelli Road, Kidbrooke; St Ursula's, Crooms Hill, Greenwich; Thomas Tallis, Kidbrooke Park Road, Kidbrooke.

Schools closed in Bexley

Barnehurst Infants and Juniors, Barnes Cray, Belvedere Infants, Bishop Ridley, Castillion, Chatsworth Infants, Cleeve Park, Colyers, East Wickham Infants and Juniors, Eastcote, Hillsgrove, Hook Lane, Marlborough, Oakwood, Parkway, Shenstone, St Columbas Boys School, St Stephens in Welling (open but parents may collect their children from 1.30pm if they wish), Welling School, Westbrooke, Woodside.

Bexley Council says the decision whether or not to close a school is taken by the head teacher, in conjunction with the chairman of governors.

They take into consideration things such as conditions in the area surrounding the school, the number of staff who have turned up for work, whether the buildings are heated adequately and what the accesses to the school are like.

A council spokesman added that special schools have to pay particular attention to the mobility of their pupils in snowy conditions.

To combat the snowy roads, Bexley Council gritters took to the streets at 8pm last night and again at 4am this morning using 40 grammes of grit per square mile.

The gritters were out again today, making conditions easier for the council's refuse lorries, and gritting priority areas such as schools and doctors' surgeries.

And they will be out on the roads again tonight.

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