Weather forecasters have warned that roads will remain icy even though the snow has eased off for now.

But while the snow has partly melted there is still a chill in the air with gusting winds keeping the temperatures down, and police warned motorists to watch out for icy roads and pavements.

The icy conditions meant it was a slippery start to the day for those walking into the city, though main roads were largely clear.

Train passengers also faced delays this morning with a number of services cancelled.

A National Express East Anglia spokesman said the faults were weather-related, linked to problems getting the trains out of the Crown Point depot at Norwich, and concerns the cold would have caused power problems on the trains and affected the opening of doors.

The disruption saw the cancellation of some trains into Norwich including the 6.32am from Sheringham, the 7.30am service from Yarmouth, and the 8.13am service from Nottingham.

Carriages were also reduced on the 6.24am service from Norwich to Lowestoft and the 7.30am Norwich to Liverpool Street service was 12 minutes late.

Bus services were mostly running as normal but First Eastern Counties said the number 16 Queens Hills service was not stopping at Kestrel Avenue, and the 19/20 service was not stopping at Lodge Farm.

In Norwich Tunstead Primary School was closed because a fallen power cable meant there was no electricity and heating.

While at Lowestoft Kirkley Middle School will open at 10.00am, and Benjamin Britten High School will only be open to Years 9, 11 and the Sixth Form.

Gusts of up to 45mph along the North Norfolk coast saw temperatures drop to around -3C (27F) and a thicker patch of cloud coming across the North Sea was likely to bring more flurries of snow, though forecasters said the county was in a 'gap zone' and not expected to see heavy snow fall.

Norfolk Police said that it had been a quiet night on the roads, but police had put diversions in place at Lower Road in Rockland St Mary because of a fallen telephone cable. A fallen tree also blocked Witton Lane at Little Plumstead.

There was a crash involving a motorcyclist and a car at the Wroxham Road roundabout on Chartwell Road at 7.55am today, though it is not clear whether it was weather-related.

Joe Osborne, from University of East Anglia-based Weatherquest, said: 'We are not expecting too much more snow in the next few days. It looks fairly good on that score.

'We had a few snow showers in Norfolk yesterday, including at Hunstanton, but generally we have only had the occasional light shower.

'That will be the case today too, but on Thursday it could be a bit more interesting, because there could be a band of showers down towards Essex which might head our way.

'It is still going to be very cold and the wind will make it feel even colder.'

With roads and paths icy, council bosses have warned people that raiding grit bins to spread salt and sand on private property could lead to prosecution for theft.

Salt and sand provided in 800 grit bins around Norfolk is for use on roads and public pavements, not for private use, Norfolk County Council stressed on Tuesday. Most grit bins are provided by town and parish councils and stocked with salt or salt and sand by the county council. Council bosses said they were usually positioned close to local trouble-spots, particularly slopes or shady corners, and that was primarily where the grit should be used.

They said it should only be used sparingly on other nearby parts of the highway in response to particular problems.

A spokesman said: 'Although available to the public, the salt and sand is only for use on the public highway close to the grit bin.

'It should never be taken from these bins for use on private drives or paths. Anyone doing so, even in the mistaken belief that it can be taken for any purpose, risks being accused of theft.'

? Motorists heading into Norwich also faced delays this morning after the traffic lights at the A146 Trowse bypass junction with the Bungay Road at Bixley failed. The lights went down at around 7.30am.