Snow and ice is causing traffic chaos across North-west London this morning with many drivers having spent the night stranded in their cars.

With hundreds of vehicles stranded and traffic queues crawling around the region's motorways, police and transport services are struggling to avert a wave of medical emergencies.

One of the worst hit is the M11 where many drivers have spent the night, many only managing to cover a few miles between the Stansted and Duxford junctions.

Radio traffic reports are describing the M11 at junction 8 as impassable. The A120 between Stansted and Dunmow is also badly affected.

Essex Police spokeswoman Kim Perks said there was a 13-mile tailback on the northbound M11 following a multiple accident involving a jack-knifed vehicle.

She added that emergency services and gritting vehicles were being hampered by drivers who had parked on the hard shoulder.

The A414 Chelmsford-bound is closed at the Four Wantz roundabout, Ongar, following an accident at Norton Heath.

Police are urging people not to drive unless their journey is essential.

Further misery on the tubes this morning as more than 40 tube stations have been closed including the Piccadilly, Bakerloo and Jubilee lines.

Dozens of schools are closed are reported closed this morning because of the weather.

Among those reported are Davenant Foundation School and Roding Valley High School, Loughton; Coopersale and Theydon Garnon Primary School, Coopersale; Mark Hall School, Harlow; Birchanger Primary School; Moreton Primary School; Fyfield Primary School; the Budworth pre-school at St James Church, Ongar; Matching Green Primary School and Newport Grammar School, Bishop's Stortford High School; St John's School, Epping; Chipping Ongar Primary School; Birchwood High School; Bishop's Stortford, and Jerounds School, Harlow.

January 31, 2003 09:30