SNOW chaos continued to grip Barking and Dagenham today with a marked surge in boiler breakdowns and a 45 per cent increase in falls on icy pavements.

Commuters on the District Line and c2c network endured more delays and cancellations while thousands of pupils started the weekend early with more than 20 primary schools shut.

Piles of rubbish started to pile up owing to missed collections and council chiefs warned delays could be expected in dealing with pest control incidents due to the icy conditions.

They pledged to prioritise boiler repairs for elderly and vulnerable residents. Fears were growing pumps could start drying up in the capital this weekend.

Barking and Dagenham ambulance chief Mick Cornett said last night: “The snow is presenting us with some challenges at the moment, but we expect that over tonight and tomorrow ice will become the major issue. I’d urge people to take extra care when they’re out and about and to wrap up warm.”

School Closures:

Dorothy Barley Infant

Dorothy Barley Junior

Five Elms Primary

Furze Infant

Godwin Primary

Grafton Infant

Grafton Junior

Henry Green Primary

Marsh Green Primary

Monteagle Primary

Ripple Primary

Rush Green Infant

St Joseph Primary Barking

St Margaret Primary

St Peter Primary

Thomas Arnold Primary

Valence Primary

Village Infant – cos grit run out

Warren Junior

William Bellamy Junior

William Ford