By Shane Gladstone
Providers of breakdown cover could be in for a busy week following the news that the long-awaited thaw is not expected until Boxing Day.
The news from forecasters suggest that the UK's transport networks will continue to struggle under the freezing conditions and heavy snow - with travellers up and down the country left out in the cold.
Sub-zero temperatures have been predicted for the coming days, causing major problems for the workers attempting to get Britain's roads moving again.
Drivers face widespread icy roads on Tuesday, with temperatures expected to fall to -17C in the north of England overnight, and parts of the south dropping to -8C.
Giving a statement to the Commons, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said disruption was "inevitable" given the severity of the weather conditions and that the transport system would "struggle to recover" in the days leading up to Christmas with more poor weather expected.
The strategic road network and rail network have performed "broadly satisfactorily", he said.
Forecasters believe the end of the big freeze is in sight, with the long-awaited thaw expected to begin on Boxing Day.
Paul Mott, forecaster at MeteoGroup, the Press Association's weather division, said Tuesday should be a dry day for much of the country, but it was unlikely that the mercury would climb sufficiently to ensure a thaw.
