Icy weather cuts UK trains

2005-12-28 12:57

London - Snowfall in eastern England halted several train services on Wednesday morning as weather forecasters warned of more freezing temperatures across the country and dangerous, icy conditions.

The eastern costal county of Kent was worst hit by snow on Tuesday, with up to 15cm falling in some areas.

Ongoing bad weather forced South Eastern Trains to cancel several train services in Kent and neighbouring East Sussex on Wednesday.

"This is due to the ice and snowy weather conditions," said a spokesperson.

"Bus replacement services will not be running either as the road conditions are too poor," he said.

Travel on a local motorway, the M20, was restricted to just one lane in both directions and a temporary speed limit of 60km/h was in place, said police.

They urged motorists across the country not to drive unless journeys were "essential and necessary".

More snow showers

Eleanor Crompton, a forecaster for Britain's Meteorological Office (met office), predicted more snow showers in the east throughout the day.

She also said temperatures would stay cold - falling to as low as -10°C in places on Wednesday night.

"Today it is going to stay cold, a degree or so above freezing at best... There will be a sharp frost again tonight and quite a widespread frost," she said.

"There will be more snow showers in the same areas today, perhaps 2cm to 5cm," Crompton said.

The chilly conditions were in-line with the seasonal norm, however.

The places most likely to see more snow were the eastern coastal counties of England and parts of Scotland.

As for the rest of the week, Crompton said the weather would remain grim before easing by Friday thanks to milder temperature and rain.

- AFP