SNOW: Train commuters face more disruption (From Croydon Guardian)

Trains across the south east facing more disruption due to weather

7:55am Monday 20th December 2010 in News By Paul Jones

SNOW: Trains facing more disruption due to weather

A severe weather warning has been issued for London and the south east as snow continues to march across the country.

Met Office forecasters are warning that up to 15cm of snow could fall on higher ground this afternoon and into the evening.

"A band of snow will spread across the area during Monday afternoon and Monday evening, with 3 to 8cm falling quite widely, and locally between 10 and 15cm on higher ground in the south such as the South Downs," said a forecaster.

"The public are advised to take extra care and refer to the Highways Agency for further advice on traffic disruption on motorways and trunk roads."

The warning comes after a weekend plunged into chaos by widespread snowfall on Saturday which has left many struggling with the Monday commute amid train delays and cancellations.

The knock-on effects of snow over the weekend are continuing this morning with widespread train cancellations being reported.

As commuters struggle to get to work in temperatures around -7C, rail operators are attempting to run normal services but are struggling against the freezing conditions.

A spokesman for Southern said: "Following discussions with our infrastructure provider Network rail, we are running a normal weekday timetable today, but due to current weather conditions which may worsen later in the day, some short notice alterations and cancellations may occur in places.

"A small number of services will have fewer carriages than normal due to weather damage. Our engineers are working around the clock to restore train lengths to normal levels."

Meanwhile, the picture is more confusing for travellers using the Southeastern services.

A statement from the company said: "We're expecting to operate our normal timetable today. But, because of the severe weather at the weekend, there will be several cancelled services in the morning."

And as forecasters warn more snow could hit the south east thios afternoon, train services are expected to feel the brunt of any worsening conditions.

The Southeastern statement added: "There's the possibility of more snow in the afternoon which could disrupt rush-hour services in the evening."

South West Trains is also running a revised timetable, with no services operating for the following routes and stations:

Ascot to Ash Vale
Aldershot to Guildford
Chessington branch
Hampton Court branch
Leatherhead to Effingham Junction
Salisbury to Bristol
Shepperton branch
Virginia Water to Weybridge

Commuters are being urged to check websites and stations for information.

Are you travelling this morning? Has your train been cancelled? Or have you had an easy journey in to work?

Use the form below to let us know, or click here to email us.

Click here for a picture gallery from the snow and click here to email us your pictures.