Commuters face second day of travel chaos

Rail services were hit again, this time because of ice, affecting some routes into London, among the busiest in the country.

Air travellers were also facing more disruption, with fresh delays expected at airports including Heathrow.

There was better news for London's six million bus users and three million Tube passengers, with vastly improved services today.

Transport for London said a good service was operating across the vast majority of the Tube and bus networks this morning, while the capital's major road network was moving freely.

A spokesman said: "Transport for London staff have been working through the night to ensure that as many services as possible are operating this morning and have also been out gritting London's major roads and working with local authority teams in an effort to keep traffic moving.

"However, with continued low temperatures, drivers are advised to exercise caution particularly on local roads."

There were some delays to Tube services because of the weather, while faulty trains also caused disruption.

Rail users were warned that journeys on many routes were subject to severe delays and alterations.

National Express East Coast cancelled a number of services between London and Leeds, Southern customers were advised not to travel unless the journey was essential, South West Trains suspended many services, while some Virgin services between London and Manchester and London and Birmingham were not running.

Firms were waiting to see how many staff were able to get into work after an estimated one in five stayed at home yesterday.