Travel chaos is set to continue in Kent overnight as train
and highway chiefs issued a series of warnings over the
state of our road and rail network.

Train operator Southeastern said it was sorry for disruption
this morning and outlined its revised timetable for the
evening.

Among the lines affected were the
London to Ashford via Tonbridge and London to Hastings via
Tunbridge Wells which will both run half-hourly.

The Charing Cross to Canterbury West, Charing Cross to
Ramsgate via Dover and Paddock Wood to Strood via Maidstone West
services will all run hourly.

And there will be hourly services between Paddock Wood and
Strood via Maidstone West, Strood and Maidstone West and Maidstone
West and Tonbridge.

Dover to Faversham and Ashford to Victoria via Maidstone East
will also be hourly.

And Victoria to Ramsgate via Faversham
and Sittingbourne to Sheerness will be half hourly.

In a statement issued this afternoon,
a SouthEastern spokesman said: "Unfortunately this morning’s snow
and icy weather caused problems on many of our services, meaning
that your journeys took longer than usual.

"In this part of the UK the ‘third’
conductor rail provides electricity to the trains.

"Ice and snow acts as an insulating
layer making it difficult for trains to draw power to move.

"Despite our, and Network Rail’s best
efforts, to stop the ice forming - freezing temperatures and snow
in the early hours of the morning made this impossible."

Highway chiefs have also warned Kent's roads will
freeze overnight after forecasters said temperatures will
plummet to an icy -7C this week.

It follows a series of snow-related accidents around the county which included a nine-month pregnant woman who had to be rescued from her car when it hit an electricity pylon.

In a statement issued today, Kent Highway Services said: "Road
surface temperatures will fall below freezing point by early
afternoon, and overnight into tomorrow.

"Widespread ice and snow showers are
expected to affect Kent with some further accumulations in
places.

"In anticipation of the wintry weather
the main roads throughout Kent will be treated to help prevent the
formation of ice, frost and snow on road surfaces.

"This action will take place this
afternoon/evening and again tomorrow morning. Further treatments
may take place during the night as required.

"Motorists are advised to watch out
for ice and snow, particularly on untreated roads, overnight and
into tomorrow morning."

The warning comes after several
inches of snow fell today following a continuous
downfall that kicked in last night.

It caused chaos on the roads and rails this morning as
treacherous conditions saw cars struggle to plough through the
snow.

Kent Police have advised motorists to keep up-to-date with the travel news by listening to kmfm.

The force is also tweeting all the latest traffic news here @kent_police.

Bookies have now slashed the odds on
Kent having a white Christmas.

Paddy Power is offering odds of 7/2
that flakes will fall at the weather station in Ash on December 25
- down from 9/2 yesterday.

Among the stricken areas are Dartford, Gravesend, Medway,
Maidstone, Canterbury, Whitstable, Ashford, Tunbridge Wells,
Tonbridge, Thanet and Sheppey.

More than 100 schools have also been closed - no doubt bringing
joy to the county's children.

And weather experts have predicted the turmoil will continue
with temperatures plummeting on Friday night.

KentOnline has been told trains have also been affected by the
poor weather caused by icy Siberian winds.

Train operator SouthEastern has already apologised to passengers
after a train got trapped on ice.

A spokesman for SouthEastern said: "Last night one of our trains
became trapped as a result of ice on the conductor rail in the
Borough Green area.

"Buses were ordered to meet the passengers but due to the
problematic weather conditions on the roads, these were delayed in
arriving.

"We worked as quickly as possible with Network Rail to make sure
that passengers were able to get home. We're sorry for the
delay."

Services between Tonbridge and
Tunbridge Wells are currently delayed by 40
minutes.

Meanwhile, this morning bus operator Arriva Southern
Counties reported a series of problems with its service.

And at Maidstone Crown Court some cases have been disrupted
because jurors can't get in.

Among the cases not sitting are the long-running Treeby family murder trial and the trial of Met Police officer Nigel Brown.

KentOnline court reporter Keith Hunt said: "Police are trying to
collect a missing juror, who apparently can't get off the
drive!"

Medway Maritime Hospital however said the "majority" of staff
have made it into work and planned operations are going ahead.

Registered storm chaser Shaun Maltby, who runs Kent weather website kent-weather.co.uk, said: "It's snowing like crazy out there.

"It started in Medway about 8pm last
night and has just being snowing since then.

"Right now it's been falling
continuously for 14 hours."

In Thanet the cold snap has triggered a £25
cold weather payment for pensioners and some families.

The payments are made automatically when average temperatures
plummet, or are forecast to fall, to zero degrees Celsius or below
for a period of seven consecutive days.

They are given to vulnerable people to help with the extra cost
of heating their homes.

People living in postcode areas CT9-CT13 who qualify for the
payments can expect to receive their money within 12 days.

Traffic built up in Perry Street, Gravesend,
this morning after a bus became stuck in the snow and blocked the
road.

Gravesham Borough Council's horticulture and street sweeping
teams have been out in force clearing pavements, car parks and the
town centre's pedestrianised areas.

In a move to increase residents' festive spirits, a council
spokesman said the town's Christmas lights will be on all day
today.

They are normally off between 9am and about 3.30pm.

The A2 is heavily congested in both directions
at the Bluewater junction, with drivers reporting
queues of more than an hour.

The roads and car parks around the shopping centre are also
badly jammed. However, the sopping centre has confirmed it is open
today.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "A number of reports have been
made regarding vehicles becoming stuck in the snow and significant
traffic delays due to the weather conditions.

"Darent interchange also reports long traffic delays and
vehicles being abandoned or stuck along the highway.

"The area north of the A2 Pepperhill junction also reports
delays. Broken down vehicles are reported in East Hill and West
Hill.

"Kent County Council and Highways Agency are sending resources
to the area to help clear the snow but until that time significant
delays are to be expected."

KentOnline readers have also been sending in their snaps showing
how the snow is affecting them.

Matthew Smith sent in a dramatic picture of a bus
getting stuck on Derringstone Hill in Barham.

He said: "I was woken at about 8.15am by the sound of children
shouting. On looking out the window I saw a bus had skidded.

"I went out to see what was going on a captured a few pictures
of residents helping the driver dig his way out.

"Eventually with a bit of community spirit and the assistance of
a local farmer with his snow plough, the bus managed to get off of
the pavement.

"All the children had to leave the bus however and the buses
were parked in the village."

Yesterday, Kent Police issued a warning to motorists to take care in the dangerous driving condition and said cars abandoned on roads will be towed.

In Medway more than an inch of the white stuff
fell during the night and it is still falling.

Thirty-six schools have already announced they will be closed
for the day.

Worst hit areas at the moment are Walderslade and the Hoo
Peninsula.

The 363 is terminating at Scocles
Road in Minster. Service 360 is not serving
Minster village and is running via Thistle Hill Way and terminating
at Scocles Road.

Service 334 to
Maidstone is running normally at present.