By Lucy Buckland

lucy.buckland@essnmedia.co.uk

Heavy snow is causing traffic chaos across Croydon this afternoon.

Cars and buses have been abandoned in Coulsdon after getting stuck in the snow flurry which started at 3.30pm.

One bus driver almost lost control of his vehicle on Coulsdon Road because of the slippery conditions.

The number 60 driver managed to pull over and told his passengers to get off before pulling over in Tollers Lane at 3.55pm.

He has been told not to move by his bosses until the roads are gritted.

Peter Morgan, who lives in Coulsdon, said: "I have had to walk for an hour to get home and all I have seen is people leaving their cars all over the streets because they can't drive on the roads like this.

"I have seen no gritters or council lorries. It is a disgrace, what on earth do we pay our taxes for?"

Mr Morgan said 405 and 166 buses were stranded in Chipstead Valley Road and Brighton Road.

He added that road markings on the Coulsdon Bypass were covered in snow.

Reports are that much of Croydon town centre is gridlocked with traffic because of the snow.

One Advertiser reader revealed that it had taken him one-and-a-half hours to drive from Addiscombe to Streatham.

Another reader, Gill Hickson, says that traffic outside her office, on the Purley Way, is hardly moving.

She said: "We have been out and helped get a few cars up the slope to the right of Ikea to try and keep traffic moving.

"I think we need to try and work out a strategy for these situations which are getting more common. A sort of civil defence where everyone mucks in to help people who are stuck."

Norbury Fire Station is experiencing problems. It was due a shift change at 6pm but 30 minutes before under half of the oncoming shift had arrived.

A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: “We have people at the station willing to stay on to ensure the public remains safe.”

Trains to London Bridge from West Croydon have been cancelled, leaving scores of passengers at the station trying to plot an alternative route home.

Buses have also become stuck in the centre of Croydon with council contractors having to put grit underneath their wheels to get them moving again.

And the situation could become worse as another five centimetres of snow is predicted to fall overnight.

*Were you left stranded in the snow? If so call our newsroom on 020 8760 7619 or e-mail lucy.buckland@essnmedia.co.uk