A TOTAL of 16 Camden schools closed their doors today because of the severe weather conditions which are currently blighting the capital. Temperatures as low as -7C in the suburbs have turned London s roads to sheet ice and even in central London temperat

A TOTAL of 16 Camden schools closed their doors today because of the severe weather conditions which are currently blighting the capital.

Temperatures as low as -7C in the suburbs have turned London's roads to sheet ice and even in central London temperatures plummeted to -3C last night.

More snow is forecast for tomorrow and the weekend adding to the chaos which has already plagued the transport system.

Rail companies are running to amended or emergency timetables and many services have been delayed or cancelled.

Arkwright Road in Hampstead is also closed and motorists are being urged to drive with caution and only make necessary journeys.

Despite promises from Camden Council earlier this week that a contingency plan was in place to ensure no parks would close because of the bad weather four parks were closed this morning because the locks were frozen.

Camden Square Gardens, Antrim Gardens, Wicklow Street open space and Brunswick Square reopened by midday but the council warned extra care should be taken on paths as it has not been possible to grit all surfaces on a regular basis.

The council says 200 staff are on standby to deal with the weather and more than 200 tonnes of grit has been spread across Camden's roads and pavements in the last 24 hours.

The schools which are closed are Argyle, Beckford, Gospel Oak, Hawley Infant, Kingsgate, New End, Our Lady RC, Rhyl, St Dominic RC, Haverstock, La Sainte Union, Maria Fidelis, Chalcot and Jack Taylor and Rosary and SCCS are open to limited numbers.

The council's transport services are also not running today. A spokeswoman for Camden Council said: "We were unable to immediately open four of our parks this morning as the locks to the gates had frozen in the extreme sub zero temperatures overnight. Our parks staff freed the locks and all parks and open spaces have been open to residents today as promised."