Whitemare before Christmas in Kent
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Kent faced up to the whitemare before Christmas today as
snow blizzards caused chaos on the county's roads.
There are severe delays in Tunbridge
Wells tonight and the M20 has been hit by
tailbacks.
In Pembury the northbound A21 was
closed this afternoon after a multi-car pile-up.
Side roads around Lamberhurst quickly became
impassable as snow continued to fall during the afternoon.
In Ashford traffic has been brought to a
standstill in and around the town centre by a jacknifed
lorry.
The lorry broke down on Fougeres Way, Ashford, at around 1pm
leading to long tailbacks.
Fougeres Way is the dual carriageway linking the Drovers
roundabout to the M20 motorway.
Read
our business editor's blog on how the snow has affected internet
shopping and Southeastern's service
Drivers at the scene reported vehicles stretching all the way to
the slip road from the M20's Junction 9.
The problem was made worse as the area is currently undergoing
major roadworks as part of the M20/Drovers roundabout improvement
scheme.
In Chatham, two cars crashed into neighbouring
houses in Thorold Road, at the bottom of Grange Hill at about
1.05pm.
A blue Toyota Avensis and a white van both collided with
properties in the road with one house suffering severe damage.
Nobody was injured.
Kent Police have responded to the snow by issuing their sternest
warning yet that the county's roads are extremely dangerous.
Superintendent Peter Wedlake, from Kent Police's Tactical
Operations department, also warned Operation Stack may be
implemented.
He said: "Anyone travelling this weekend
should be prepared for delays and hazardous conditions.
"Kent Police is working with partner agencies to keep traffic on
the road network moving, but some roads will clearly be more
affected by the icy conditions.
"Motorists should be prepared. Please consider your safety and
decide if your journey in these conditions is really necessary.
"If you do travel, make sure you have provisions for
emergencies.
"We are expecting a high volume of traffic to leave Kent to
travel to Europe this weekend which, together with the forecast
conditions, may lead to the implementation of Operation Stack.
"If you have elderly or vulnerable neighbours or relatives,
please remember to check on them to ensure they are safe and
well.
"Pedestrians are also reminded to take great care, as icy
conditions continue to make footpaths dangerous."
Families have been left worrying they could be left without
presents if deliveries aren't made because of the ice.
One present-giver - who did not want to be named - said:
"It's awful.
"I thought I was getting ahead of myself online, but I'm going
to have to make other arrangements."
Click here to read our snow special report
Temperatures hit -5C this morning but look set to plunge to an
icy -7C tonight.
Two inches of the white stuff has already fallen in
Maidstone, pictured above.
And heavy snow has settled in Medway,
Canterbury and Dartford after a
flurry this afternoon.
There was "a very slight smattering of snow" in
Ashford but it hasn't settled.
In Larkfield there was around one inch of
snow. But in Thanet there was "blue
skies and fluffy white clouds".
More snow could fall over the weekend as the Arctic blast
continues and motorists have been warned to expect treacherous
roads.
The Met Office has issued an ice warning - with Kent and the
South East expected to be among the worst hit places in the UK.
Weather expert Shaun Maltby, who runs www.kent-weather.co.uk, said:
"For this morning's data we are looking at some more snowfall.
"Kent's top temperature's should hit the magical 0C in light but
chilly north westerly winds.
"For this evening and into the night any remaining snowfall
should clear away but with the chance of some snow cover, it will
really hold back the temperatures with forecast low's of -7C, even
lower for the more rural areas.
"This means ice can form again for Saturday."
Have you taken pictures of the snow today? Send them in
to multimediadesk@thekmgroup.co.uk.
Friday, December 17 2010
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