Arctic weather in London

Heavy snow in London London commuters faced the heaviest snowfall in 18 years on 02 February 2009. Bus services and most of the Underground trains, trams and trains came to a stand still. Early hours of Monday morning Transport for London decided to suspend all bus services in the capital for safety reasons. It was reported that more than 20 buses slid off the road on Sunday night (01 February 2009).

Air travel passengers were stranded in the London airports; Heathrow, Gatwick and City Airport. Many flights were delayed and some cancelled.

London City Airport was reopened on 3 February 2009 after severe snow forced it to close. But delays and cancellations were expected throughout the day.

On a second day commuter services were badly affected on South West Trains coming into Waterloo, Southeastern and Southern trains were badly disrupted coming from Kent and the South Coast.

The Tramlink was also running a partial service between Wimbledon and Wandle Park in south London. Five bus routes in London remain suspended, Transport for London (TfL) said.

Transport for London and the Highways Agency have been gritting roads in the region but their message was that people should make only essential journeys as conditions were expected to remain dangerous.

Many London schools remained closed for a second day on Tuesday 3 February 2009. At least 40 schools in Camden, north London, and 23 schools in Lambeth, and south London, were closed.

The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the severe weather and snow had badly affected businesses. The LCCI reported almost 90% of firms were operating below full capacity and more than half said the inclement weather would have a serious impact on productivity.

Source: BBC London.