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Snow hits Eurostar service

Picture submitted by Colin Spence showing daughter Olivia (middle) and her friends Jade (front) and Liv (back) having great fun on the snowy slopes of Chestfield
Picture submitted by Colin Spence showing daughter Olivia (middle) and her friends Jade (front) and Liv (back) having great fun on the snowy slopes of Chestfield

Kent faces another crippling barrage of snow today after it's revealed temperatures plunged to a stunning -11.6C overnight.

A severe weather warning has been issued with the Met Office telling people to "be prepared".

And Kent Police sent out another warning about black ice this afternoon.

Freezing fog and heavy snow are forecast for rush hour which will cause slippery conditions tomorrow.

It comes as Kent County Council reveal nearly TWO THIRDS of our salt stocks have been already been used.

Steve Kennard and Rob Baker cleared Hempstead Road of snow and ice themselves.
Steve Kennard and Rob Baker cleared Hempstead Road of snow and ice themselves.

Kent weather expert Shaun Maltby, who runs kent-weather.co.uk, said: "A band of very heavy snow is currently moving across the south coast of England which, at time of posting is situated over Bournemouth and Southampton.

"Given the surprisingly brighter echos on radar, a weather warning is being issued for heavy snow arriving this afternoon/evening and heading into the night.

"The heavy snow will undoubtedly lead to travel disruption."

Flurries measuring 3cm to 8cm are expected to hit the county tonight from around 6pm.

Another local weather expert Lester Gosbee said today he recorded temperatures of -11.6C - the lowest since January 12,

1987.

Icy conditions on the tracks have already meant speed restrictions put in place on Eurostar services running through Ebbsfleet and Ashford.

The train operator said passengers should expect delays throughout the day.

Southeastern said it expects to run a full timetable on the routes it operates today, but some cancellations might occur.

And Arriva has reported that most if its buses are running as normal.

Meanwhile, most of Kent's major roads were back up and running this morning although some local roads were still impassible.

It follows a weekend of disruption which left the county's road network was paralysed by ice.

Christmas shoppers brave the snow
Christmas shoppers brave the snow

In Medway, motorists struggled on treacherous roads after six inches of snow fell in less than an hour on what is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year.

Traffic ground to a halt in a whitemare before Christmas at about 12.30pm on Saturday - the penultimate day of Rochester's inaugural Christmas market.

The Arctic conditions wrecked festive travel arrangements and shopping expeditions.

Sixteen roads were impassable as drivers were forced to abandon cars while many A-roads were blocked by vehicles stuck in the slush.

In one incident, an Asda lorry failed repeated attempts to climb the A2 London Road, in Rainham, causing long tailbacks in both directions.

Residents even took to clearing ice and snow from roads and pavements themselves.

Geoffrey Green, who owns Cafe Sinatra in the Pentagon Centre, Chatham, was furious over the gridlock his staff and customers faced.

He said: "People just could not get home - it was pathetic. I had staff forced to walk home."

These are pictures of a snowman family made on the village green (The Glebe) in Egerton, sent in by Kate Fenwick
These are pictures of a snowman family made on the village green (The Glebe) in Egerton, sent in by Kate Fenwick

Hempstead Valley shopping centre manager Mark Rumfitt said about 100 people abandoned vehicles in its car park.

He said: "We had a rush of people trying to get home, but generally the drivers were tremendous and - despite the queues - people were being very patient."

Medway Council said gritters were out from Friday afternoon on primary routes and throughout the weekend.

On Sunday morning, crews moved onto secondary routes, while an extra 25 staff hand-salted high streets, outside hospitals and medical centres.

Intrepid postie in Winchester Gardens, Canterbury. Sent in by Roger Thornington
Intrepid postie in Winchester Gardens, Canterbury. Sent in by Roger Thornington

JCB diggers were also used to clear snow from town centre car parks and all Medway's salt bins were due to be replenished by today.

On Sunday, shopping centres across the Towns opened as normal to the Christmas crowds.

A church service on Saturday was also postponed until Wednesday due to the weather.

The Service of Nine Lessons and Christmas Carols by Candlelight at All Saints in Maidstone will now take place at 7pm.

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