YOUNG families hoping to make the most of Camden s parks during the biggest snowfall in 15 years are in for a disappointment after the council announced all locked parks have been closed. Waterlow Park, Cantelowes Gardens, Talacre Gardens and Hampstead ce

YOUNG families hoping to make the most of Camden's parks during the biggest snowfall in 15 years are in for a disappointment after the council announced all locked parks have been closed.

Waterlow Park, Cantelowes Gardens and Talacre Gardens are among those closed to the public.

A spokeswoman said: “We would love to have been able to open all our parks open today and we will do whatever we can to get as many as possible open tomorrow.

"Unfortunately today's very heavy snow has caused significant transport disruption across the capital and this has meant we just have not had enough parks staff to open all of our 68 parks.

"Our priority has been to keep all the council's essential services going and all of our sports and leisure centres are also open today, along with most of Camden's libraries providing lots of activities for families and children who are not at school or work today because of the bad weather."

Hampstead Heath, an ideal location for sledging, is open and full of people making the most of the snow as is Primrose Hill which has even attracted snowboarders.

People across north London awoke to blizzards this morning with up to 10 centimetres of snow covering the ground.

It has led to the near collapse of the capital's transport network with bus routes, Tube trains and roads all affected.

All of London's buses have been cancelled until further notice and there are suspensions across the Underground including the jubilee line between Stanmore and Waterloo, and the bakerloo between Queen's Park and Harrow. The circle, and hammersmith and city lines are all completely shut. The victoria line is the only one to be recording good service. There are also part suspensions on the district, northern and picadilly lines.

A Transport for London spokesman has advised people to avoid travelling where possible.

Meanwhile dozens of schools across the area have been shut. The council say most are likely to be closed and confirmed the following are definitely shut: St Dominic's, Christchurch NW1, Fleet Primary, New End, Agincourt House, Argyle Primary, Primrose Hill, Parliament Hill, St Paul's, William Ellis, South Camden Community School, Maria Fidelis, Haverstock and Hawley Infants

A council spokesperson said all council resources have been ploughed into making roads and highways safe for pedestrians and motorists.

She said: "Gritting crews have been working throughout the night to keep main roads and priority routes open. We are unable to gain access to many side roads across the borough due to heavy snow and risk of causing damage to parked cars.

"Gritting crews will continue gritting main routes and carrying out snow clearance work to ensure that schools, ambulance stations, hospitals, and high footfall pedestrian areas are kept clear.

"All available resources have been re-tasked with gritting and snow clearance work and we are currently dealing with calls for assistance on a priority basis."

Experts predict snow will continue falling through the week and into the weekend.

Sunday night's sub zero temperatures were caused by snow storms blown in from Russia, and temperatures are expected to rise only barely above freezing every day this week except for tomorrow (Tuesday, Feb 3).

For more information call the customer services line on 020-7974 4444.