Overnight snow in southern England is disrupting train services around London and in East Anglia. Thameslink, Southern, Gatwick Express, South Western Railway and Southeastern are all warning of delays and cancellations, and there are also problems on the Greater Anglia network, where icy conditions have meant that a track inspection must be carried out. Network Rail said hundreds of staff are defrosting frozen points and signals, and trains with snow ploughs are also being used.

National Rail braces for strikes this week

Members of the RMT at Network Rail and English train operators are preparing to walk out for four days this week, as the dispute over pay and conditions continues. There will be a 48-hour strike tomorrow and Wednesday, and a second stoppage on Friday and Saturday. Services are also expected to be disrupted on Thursday, partly because some trains will be out of position. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch has called for a meeting with the Prime Minister as the deadlock between the unions, rail management and the government continues. Another strike has been called of Network Rail staff between 24 and 27 December, which is set to interrupt maintainance and upgrade work planned during Christmas Day and Boxing Day.