Motorists were stuck in snow on Monday evening
Tailbacks of up to 15 miles were reported overnight on the A23 between Crawley and Brighton, with some motorists stuck for up to eight hours.
Sussex Police said the road was reopened later on Tuesday, but more than 300 crashes were reported.
Hundreds of schools have also been closed across East and West Sussex.
‘Asleep in cars’
The Highways Agency and police said they were working to help motorists and recover abandoned vehicles.
“Today is going to be about helping recover vehicles as many people fell asleep in their cars or abandoned them so even when the roads did become clearer they were still blocked by many vehicles.
“Although the conditions have improved slightly, we are asking people to not make any journeys unless they are essential.”
Southern railways warned passengers to expect delays and cancellations on all routes.
A spokesman for the firm added: “Snow and freezing temperatures in the south east since yesterday and overnight are leading to cancellations and delays to train services on our network this morning, particularly on routes through Sussex.”
‘Eight-hour journey’
On Monday, rail travellers faced major delays.
James Clarke, who was travelling to Hastings, said: “What should have been a four-hour train journey became an eight-hour train and replacement bus journey.
“The bus part took two hours 45 minutes to get the 12 miles from Eastbourne to Bexhill.”
More than 100 German students slept at Hastings town hall overnight as families that were due to look after them could not travel into the town.
Kevin Boorman, of Hastings Borough Council, said: “I’ve seen the council chamber used for many things, but never this.
Continue reading the main story
“But it’s great that we’ve been able to step in and help, and I know the students, their teachers and the coach drivers really appreciate it.”
Gatwick Airport worker Jonathan Lara was stuck on the M23 after taking eight hours to travel fewer than eight miles.
Speaking to the BBC at about 01:30 GMT on Tuesday, he said: “It looks like the gritters have been totally caught out by this.
“I’ve been stuck in the same place for about three-and-half hours now and it looks like I’m going to be here for hours yet.”
BBC
