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Video: Round-up of
snow this week in Kent

Operation Stack remains in force tonight as forecasters predict
yet more heavy snow will pile on even more agony for
motorists on Thursday.

Reports at 10pm said there are severe delays on the M25
after a lorry jack-knifed. Two lanes are closed between junctions 5
and 4 at Orpington.

Kent Police also said several slip roads onto the M20 are
closed, they include junctions 7, 8, 9 and 10.

The force had warned earlier today that travel conditions
in Kent were getting steadily WORSE.

And after a series of jack-knifed trucks caused more
chaos on Kent's roads police implemented Phase One of
Stack.

Southeastern's rail network has also taken a hammering with
services across the county cancelled or disrupted. Most last trains
from London to Kent were brought forward.

Get the latest by following this unofficial Twitter page:
www.twitter.com/uk_trsoutheast

A spokesman for
Kent Police said: "Problems across the county's roads are
increasing as freight vehicles are encountering problems on the icy
roads.

"Freight drivers are advised that, as they are governed by the
hours they drive, they should be trying to ensure they get to
service areas for their breaks, rather than using the hard shoulder
of the motorways.

"Vehicles are breaking down and parking on the hard
shoulder.

"Large goods vehicle easily lose traction on hills, and when
others overtake they also get stuck causing three lanes of
stationary lorries.

"Kent Police would advise freight drivers it is illegal to use
lane 3 of motorways and they should remain in lanes one and two, to
ensure that situations where freight lorries are completely
blocking the motorway are avoided.

"Current problems involving freight vehicles are on the main
routes in Kent, particularly the M25, M20 and A2.

"Kent Police would advise that freight traffic does not venture
to Kent unless absolutely necessary.

"Latest weather forecasts predict gale force winds for this
afternoon, which means that Operation Stack phase one has been
implemented."

Phase one is the closure of the coastbound carriageway of the
M20 between junctions 11 and 12 (Stanford and Cheriton).

Operation Stack is where parts of the M20 are used to queue
lorries that are travelling to the continent, to avoid causing
gridlock on Kent's road network.

It is introduced as an emergency measure after consultation with
other agencies and implemented following a thorough assessment of
issues, including safety concerns and disruption on the road
network.

Following Stack being put into force the Highways
Agency, which operates Kent's motorways and A roads, issued its
latest warning to motorists.

It said: "Road surface temperatures in Kent will remain below
freezing for the next 24 hours.

"Widespread ice and snow showers, some heavy, are expected to
affect Kent today and overnight with further accumulations of snow
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 will take place during the night as
required."

KentOnline will keep you updated.

Click here to read our snow Special Report

This morning, treacherous roads led police to advise
motorists not to venture out unless absolutely necessary.

Officers reiterated that later and told workers who did go
out to get home quick.

The snow has also hit more than 100 elderly people
who face being without a hot meal today as Age Concern staff
in Gravesend struggle to make deliveries.

Kitchen and delivery staff have been unable to make it through
the snow to Age Concern's kitchen and day care centre in Clarence
Row, Gravesend, today.

Click here to
read what our bloggers said about the snow

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kmfm.

Follow KentOnline's latest updates at @kent_online

Kent Police also tweeting all the latest traffic news
at @kent_police.

This has left 130 customers, who normally receive a lunch
delivered by the charity, without a hot meal.

Chief Superintendent Alasdair Hope said: "People should consider
their safety and decide if their journey is really necessary.

"If you do travel make sure you have the right provisions for
emergencies, and if you are already at work you should give serious
consideration to getting home before conditions get worse this
afternoon."

It comes after drivers were stuck in queues on the A2 for more than 10 HOURS
yesterday.

Drivers are being told not to travel on the motorway
network and roads in north Kent, and to avoid the area around
Swanley and the M25 fast slip onto M20, which
is closed.

The QEII bridge is also closed, with traffic
diverted through one of the Dartford tunnels.

Chief Inspector Andy Reeves, head of Kent Police's Roads
Policing Unit, said: "I would urge drivers in North Kent not to
attempt to travel on the motorways and roads unless ablsolutely
necessary today.

"We are expecting significant disruption on the road networks to
continue due to the snow and icy conditions.

"Overnight snowfall and freezing temperatures mean that many
roads are extremely treacherous and I would advise motorists that
unless your journey is essential, do not make that journey.

"If you do choose to travel you should expect severe delays.

"There are currenlty significant delays on the M25, A2 and A282
Dartford River Crossing."

Police, Kent Highways and others have been working through the
night to get traffic moving following severe traffic problems
caused by the extreme weather conditions.

The worst affected areas at this time are the A2 at
Cobham, Pepperhill and the
Swanley Interchange, the Dartford River Crossing is closed and
traffic is diverted via one of the Dartford
tunnels, and the M25 fast slip onto M20 remains closed.

Meanwhile, on the train lines,
Southeastern passengers were trapped for up to nine hours in
the snow last night.

Southeastern laid on buses when the 8.05pm train from
London Victoria finally made it to
Orpington at 5.30am today.

Some passengers rejected the chance to finish their journey by
bus - and were still on the train 13 hours after it left
London.

Conditions are not much better this morning, with a limited
service operating.

A Southeastern spokesman said the firm was concentrating on
mainline routes, but they warned journeys could take longer than
usual.

And on Sheppey, the crossing was closed due to
snow.

Police were initially called out to a minor crash involving one
vehicle, but they decided to close the crossing at 11.30pm.

The bridge was reopened at 4.10am today.

Road incidents - main routes

M25 fast lip onto M20 - remains closed due
to snow, ice and abandoned vehicles.

M25 junction 4 - tailbacks are cleared and
HGVs have now been moved

Dartford River Crossing now reopened into Kent
- long delays

New SheppeyCrossing bridge -
reopened at 4.30am

M20 J8-9 - Carriageways in both directions
severe ice, driving conditions hazardous.

A2 Cobham - slow moving traffic London-bound
carriageway.



A25 Westerham - parts of rural Kent
impassable. Some roads closed.

Hosey Hill and North Kent Hatch - roads
closed

A299 Thanet Way - reduced to one lane due to
snow and ice in parts