​By Andrew Worden

andrew.worden@essnmedia.co.uk

Several schools have closed today (Friday) after snow swept across the borough.

Pupils at Roke Primary in Kenley, Winterbourne Junior Girls and Winterbourne Infants in Thornton Heath, Wattenden Primary in Purley, Applegarth Juniors and Applegarth Infants in New Addington, St Chad’s Primary in South Norwood, and Downsview Primary in Upper Norwood, have all been allowed to stay at home to have fun in the snow.

However, the council has said many more schools are closed for inset days so the numbers affected by the snow “are not significant”.

Train services between London Bridge and Sutton - via Norwood Junction, West Croydon and Waddon - experienced delays and cancellations.

And trains from London Victoria to East Croydon were diverted to West Croydon.

But Southern, which operates these routes, said this was not because of snow but because of a signal problem in Hemel Hempstead, in Herfordshire.

Gritting teams are out as part of a 24-hour operation designed to keep major routes moving.

And early reports suggest the work has been a success with no significant problems affecting the borough's main roads.

Park rangers will be gritting paths and the council's grounds maintenance contractor and highways department have been working since 7.30am on gritting across the borough.

No reports of fallen trees have been received by the council.

All libraries are open today with the exception of Bradmore Green library, in Old Coulsdon, which has closed because not enough staff have been able to get there.

Staff have, though, been told the weather situation will be reviewed throughout the day, especially in relation to those libraries scheduled to stay open until 7pm.

A council spokesman said: “Due to the condition of side roads and potential risk of further snowfalls the decision to suspend the home to school passenger transport service had to be taken at 6.30am this morning.

"We have endeavoured to advise all suppliers and schools. Cascade information (e-mails) to parents has also been made as far as possible.

"We are attempting to collect those children at residential schools who would come home today."

Becky Daniels, a shop assistant from Thornton Heath, had struggled to make it in to Croydon today to complete her Christmas shopping.

Miss Daniels said: "I know the snow's really bad, but I haven't even begun my Christmas shopping, so I need to get it done today, even if there's a blizzard!

"I think I'm probably going to have the shops to myself, it's so quiet, it almost feels a bit eerie, because you'd expect the high street to be packed.

"Everyone else is keeping warm and cosy inside, and I'm going to have to try and buy lots of presents, that will teach me to be more organised next year. I wish I was inside in the warm, I could do with a mince pie and a cup of tea right now!"

Trader Sonia Poleon, who owns shoe shop Sole Lounge, on Chipstead Valley Road, in Coulsdon, said: "At around 9pm last night the roads of Coulsdon were white, it looked magical.

"But this morning it is a nightmare, the traffic is slow on Chipstead Valley Road because people are being careful but there are huge tailbacks in some parts of Coulsdon.

"It is such a shame because the snow is beautiful but it just causes such chaos."

Part of these delays were down to a broken down 466 bus on the Brighton Road.

It is believed that between two to three inches of snow fell in Croydon in the worst weather since February's heavy snowfall brought chaos to the borough.

*Tell us how the snow has affected you where you are. Leave a comment below or e-mail newsdesk@croydonadvertiser.co.uk

And send us your photos of the snow to the same e-mail address and we will print the best in the Croydon Advertiser next week.