COASTAL areas of Suffolk were this afternoon bracing themselves for further snow - set to add to the travel chaos in the area.

Richard Cornwell

COASTAL areas of Suffolk were this afternoon bracing themselves for further snow - set to add to the travel chaos in the area.

Weather forecasters said the county's coastal strip could see two to five centimetres later as snow showers sweep in from the north-east and tonight temperatures could plummet to minus 12C in many part of the county.

Over the weekend more snow showers are expected with no sign yet of a let up in the big freeze.

To add to the misery, winds are expected to pick up - and will make it feel even colder.

Britain's biggest container terminal, the Port of Felixstowe was keeping a close eye on the weather and is now concerned that while it may be able to overcome the snow problems, the winds will then prevent it from working.

“We are keeping a watch on the situation and one concern is that snow we have cleared could then get blown about again and take us back to where we were,” said port head of corporate affairs, Paul Davey.

Operation Stack was cleared by early today but was back up and running again after fresh snow showers this morning.

Snow clearance work has been taking place on the quaysides and an area cleared for truckers to be able to drop boxes for export.

However, because containers waiting to be collected are in storage stacks across the 700-acre complex, including many areas which are not cleared and are too dangerous for cranes to reach, imported boxes cannot be collected.

Roads across the county remained hazardous and police were still urging motorists to venture out only if their journey was absolutely necessary.

There were a series of minor accidents this morning, including one blocking the Orwell Bridge for a time.

Police said most drivers were being sensible and driving in accordance with the conditions.

The A14 and A12 were passable, with people able to drive around 30mph to 40mph, though there is compacted snow in places and patches of black ice.

Sideroads in towns and other country roads which have not been gritted are still treacherous.

There were problems on the Wilford Bridge Road, Melton, with extremely slippery conditions.

The road between Melton and Ufford was at a standstill for a time with four vehicles stuck trying to get up the hill.

More than 260 schools closed - many of them for the third day running.