Commuters Face Delays As Big Freeze Continues

Commuters are to face further disruption as Britain's 'Big freeze' continues to spread chaos across the country.

Forecasters have warned northern England, Scotland and Wales could be battered with the worst of the wintry conditions, which yesterday affected bus, train and air travel and saw hundreds of schools closed.

South-east England was particularly affected yesterday by the snow, with delays on motorways and transport cancellations.

It is thought the snow will move north towards the Pennines, north-east England, eastern Scotland and the Borders.

An extreme weather warning has been issued by the Met Office, for motorists to beware of icy roads and drifting or heavy snow.

Forecaster Claire Austin said: "Northern England and Scotland will be having lots of snow, mainly on higher ground, with sleet and rain elsewhere.

"The snow will also come to west Wales and south-west England. As the day goes on northern England will get drier but the rain will stay in Scotland and fall as snow over higher ground. Northern Ireland will stay wet.

"Wales and south-west England will have wintry showers with a mixture of sleet, snow and a bit of hail. The rest of the country will stay pretty much dry."

Yesterday London buses were pulled from service and a number of train services linking London and the south coast were also delayed or cancelled as snow fell on the tracks.

A spokesman for Network Rail, which runs Britain's rail infrastructure, said there would be "a much better service" on commuter routes into London than yesterday, but passengers are still being advised not to travel on South West Trains.

He said: "We still expect there will be some delays to services in the morning. We expect people will be able to get into Charing Cross and London Bridge, which they weren't able to do."

See: Heavy Snow Causes Chaos Across Britain

(JM/BMcC)