Commuter mayhem after blizzard hits London

8:54am Thursday 29th January 2004

It took just an hour of heavy snow yesterday to cripple London's transport network, and commuters can expect ongoing problems today.

Despite forecasters warning that the blizzard-like conditions were likely since last week, roading and rail authorities struggled in vain to cope with the weather.

Motorists on several major motorways were stuck for hours yesterday, with tube and rail travel was also badly disrupted.

Marlow resident Paul Thomas spent four and a half hours driving home from Watford, in a 40 kilometre commute that normally takes 40 minutes.

"I didn't see any gritting lorries all the way home and there wasn't any grit on the roads," he said.

Drivers have been warned to take extra caution with icy conditions across the southeast, and expect severe delays.

Delays are occurring on the Northern, Jubilee, District, and Central lines, and the Metropolitan line is closed north of Moor Park, and there is no service on the Hammersmith and City line is shut between Whitechapel and Barking station.

Commuters on overland services are advised to check with train companies or National Rail for updates, as delays are occurring in most areas.

For more information on commuter services, see Local London's travel update page.