Sutton’s road network ground to a halt last night as a few inches of snow meant some commuters took five hours to get home.

But by this morning the ice and snow had melted and many roads were completely clear meaning commuters were able to get work as usual.

The weather took a turn for the worse at around 3pm yesterday and by around 5pm a couple of inches of snow had settled on cars, pavements and roads.

Some of the borough’s major roads iced over causing worried drivers to slow down to walking pace to negotiate the slippery roads.

Gander Green Lane was brought to a standstill, Cheam Road was gridlocked for several hours and Sutton town centre was bumper to bumper for most of the early evening.

Journalist Tamasin Coates, 55, found herself caught up in the chaos in Croydon Lane, Banstead, as she drove home to Coulsdon from her office in North Cheam.

She said: “The journey which should only take a maximum of 40 minutes in the rush hour took me five hours.

“I saw several cars abandoned at the side of the road. It seemed ridiculous because there wasn’t that much snow – although there was black ice on the opposite side of the carriageway.

“It was definitely the worst commute I have ever had but I am just thankful I made it home in the end. By comparison the journey into work this morning took just 30 minutes.”

Wallington resident Janet Williamson, of Mellows Road, praised the helpful residents of Pine Road after her car got stuck in the snow.

She said: "After travelling for over three hours, the road conditions were terrible and the car was losing rear traction.

"Suddenly there appeared the residents of Pine Walk, shovels in hand, clearing the way on the road and directing the traffic.

"After eventually arriving home at 9.15pm thanks in no small measure to those kind householders, I felt their timely assistance should be acknowledged.

Another angry resident, who posted a message on our website, said: “To be honest, where the heck were the gritters and salters? Its not like the council did not know this was coming.

“Fair play on the snow last week the job was done correctly and main roads were pretty good, but sorry to say they failed as usual with this brief fall of snow.

“God help us if the weather gets any more severe.”

A council spokesman said the reason behind the problems on the road was due to the number of motorists leaving work early at the same time.

He said: “Everyone left work at the same time so the sheer volume of traffic caused some problems.

“When the roads are gridlocked no one can get about and, in particular, the gritting lorries can’t get anywhere.”

A Police spokesman praised drivers for continuing to obey traffic signals and for their patience as they made their way home.

He said: "Severe weather and heavy traffic combined to cause many main roads and junctions in Sutton, and some main routes around the borough, to become gridlocked during the rush hour yesterday afternoon.

"These were unprecedented conditions because rain and snow turned to black ice from around 4pm to make driving conditions exceptionally difficult.

"Police units continued to be available to respond to 999 and other calls."

Were you caught up in the chaos last night? Let us know at suttonguardian.co.uk