Rail commuters warned of major cold weather travel disruption this winter

Commuters were warned today of major disruption this winter as breakdowns were expected across the south-east.

The boss of the UK's busiest commuter operator said snow and ice will pose a "significant challenge" as weather forecasters predicted a harsh winter.

Charles Horton, Southeastern managing director, warned passengers that disruption is "always likely" during severe weather.

The operator serves Kent, parts of Sussex and south east London into Charing Cross, Cannon Street, Victoria and Blackfriars.

It was widely condemned for the chaos during last winter's blizzards. Passengers were repeatedly trapped - sometimes overnight - in freezing conditions as trains came to a stop.

The problem is the third rail. Trains in the south east take traction power from the third rail, rather than overhead cables, which freezes over in the snow and ice preventing the current getting through.

Mr Horton said: "Heavy snow and ice represents a significant challenge for running trains on the third rail network."

The Government has turned down a recommendation from the Parliamentary transport committee to install overhead power cables - which have less chance of freezing - on cost.

Southeastern is working closely with NR to cope better this winter. Contingencies include increased stocks of grit and salt to aid train grip and keep the tracks clear of ice; three more 4x4 vehicles to reach stranded trains - Southeastern was condemned for not having enough four-wheel driver vehicles to rescue passengers; Kent County Council to keep station access roads gritted and help provide aid if passengers are stranded.

Space blankets and glow sticks are to be handed out to commuters when trains become stranded in the snow.

Southeastern is to keep 4,000 foil blankets on trains with Network Rail (NR) engineers handing out glow sticks in emergencies.

Tory MP Bob Stewart, whose Beckenham constituency witnessed some of the worst rail disruption, welcomed moves "to come up with practical solutions to stop this travel chaos from happening again."

Bob Crow, the RMT rail union leader, said: "The chaos on the railways last winter shone the spotlight on the madness of rail privatisation where passengers are stuck overnight on freezing trains while there is money to burn in the rail company boardrooms. Glow sticks aren't the answer; renationalisation is."