Winter laid a heavy congestion charge on thousands of motorists last night. On stretches of the M25, M11 and M1 drivers are still struggling to get home having spent all night in their cars...and they're already fighting through those trying to get back into work.

Traffic authorities and agencies have one message for those lucky enough to have got home last night: don't try to get into London again unless you have to!

As snow and harsh winds swept across the capital mid-afternoon yesterday, millions of Londoners charged onto the roads and quickly gridlocked key junctions across the region.

This morning the M11 remains arguably the worst affected, though the Dartford tunnel area of the M25 is reported as effectively impassible, and M25 traffic generally was heavier than normal rush-hour by 6.00am.

Thousands of rail commuters also suffered long delays as the Tube was flooded by a tidal wave of Londoners desperate to get home.

As of this morning delays persist on the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, and Piccadilly lines, and Hounslow and Kentish Town stations are closed.

Temperatures in the south east today are not expected to rise above four degrees, and icy road conditions will persist for several hours - if there is any effective thaw at all.

Further snow showers are expected to put down another layer of ice, and the Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for much of eastern England.

The AA is warning of extensive black ice and urging people not to attempt to get into London unless they absolutely have to.

Transport updates from Local London 'Top Stories' throughout today...

Latest 08.04am: M11 8-9 northbound blocked, southbound extremely slow, very heavy ice.

QE2 bridge now open and gritted.

Stansted Airport closed.

More snow on the way...

January 31, 2003 08:30