Ice 'glues' trains to rails

Trains have to be de-iced before they can leave the sidings

The director of a train firm has said they are facing the worst icing conditions for more than 20 years.

Michael Holden from South Eastern Trains said on Thursday morning that trains were "glued" to the rails because of the bitterly cold conditions.

He said commuters would face major problems in the region because of the weather.

He said: "We are working as hard as we can to fix the trains that are in a bad way.

Key priority

"A lot of the trains saw a lot of damage yesterday particularly overnight so we are working on those right now.

"Our key priority is actually getting the trains out that are working - getting them out on the lines.

"We are finding the trains are actually glued to the conductor rails - they are iced up - so we are having to get round and de-ice the trains to get them out of the sidings."

On Thursday morning the Dover to Faversham line was reported to be closed as was the Ramsgate to Dover line.