Snow misery for commuters

COMMUTERS are facing chaos in their attempts to get to work in the capital with all bus services cancelled and the majority of underground lines closed.

Train operator National Express East Anglia was advising passengers to leave extra time for their journeys as a blanket of snow hit the region.

A spokeswoman said: “Currently we are running a reduced mainline service, the intercity service between Norwich and London which usually runs every half an hour is operating hourly at the moment.”

But as passengers got to the capital they faced a miserable journey to work with chaos on the roads and railways.

All London bus services were withdrawn and 10 of the 11 lines on the London Underground were either completely or partly suspended.

A spokesman for Transport for London said the heavy snowfall that hit London had severely disrupted transport services and advised people to check before they travel.

He said bus services had been suspended because of fears for passenger safety as road conditions were extremely dangerous.

Simon Brown, a commuter from Kesgrave, praised the train operator for getting the message to passengers as quickly as possible but feared travelling home this evening may be more difficult.

“To be fair I got a text message update last night predicting the weather would be bad and their advice and I work within walking distance from the station.

“Our train was also delayed just 100 yards from Liverpool Street due to a point's failure to add to the chaos.

“It is one of those times they did what they could, an occasion when with the weather being what it is you have to expect problems.

“Clearly as a nation we are not geared up to deal with snow. Confusion reigns about travelling home; I think the day is going to be increasingly frustrating.”

In general staff at Ipswich station say they saw fewer regular commuters make their journey to work this morning with many deciding to stay at home.

James Steward, group station manager at Ipswich station said: “To be honest a lot of people have not turned up, people have got the message,” he said. “It has been fairly quiet this morning but we have been running a reasonably good service, we have actually been keeping people moving.

“We are expecting the weather to deteriorate later causing more disruptions from mid-afternoon.

“We are working with Network Rail and have got a special snow plough clearing the train tracks as much as possible.”

For others travelling by train the disruptions have threatened one Suffolk couple's holiday plans as they face a journey to Heathrow in time to make their flight tomorrow morning.

The couple, who asked not to be named, said they were setting off for a three-week break in Vietnam but were unsure how they were going to get to the airport.

“We were due to drive to the airport but then this morning we heard the roads were dangerous and the M25 was very clogged up, so we thought we would get the train. We have no idea how we will get to Heathrow or how long it will take, we may have to get a taxi because of the disruptions.

“The thing that made us decide was they have forecast more heavy snow for this afternoon and it is starting to freeze on the roads.”