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Snow brings M6 near Wigan to a standstill | Snow brings M6 near Wigan to a standstill |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Heavy snowfall has left motorists stranded in their cars on a stretch of motorway in Greater Manchester. | Heavy snowfall has left motorists stranded in their cars on a stretch of motorway in Greater Manchester. |
The Highways Agency closed the M6 in both directions between junctions 25 and 27, near Wigan. | |
Up to 15cm (6in) of snow has fallen across parts of northern England since Friday afternoon | Up to 15cm (6in) of snow has fallen across parts of northern England since Friday afternoon |
The agency is working to set up a shelter at Charnock Services, near junction 28, for drivers stranded in freezing temperatures. | The agency is working to set up a shelter at Charnock Services, near junction 28, for drivers stranded in freezing temperatures. |
'Stay in your car' | 'Stay in your car' |
At 03:00 GMT, Lancashire Police tweeted: "Be reassured, we're doing all we can to get things moving again. Once again remember to take your time and drive with caution. | |
"There's been up to a foot of snow on some parts of the motorway but the snow ploughs are doing their best to shift it." | |
Stranded motorist Jason Barr said: "The only information we're getting at the moment is stay in your cars. If you have enough fuel, keep your engines on to keep your heating on. | Stranded motorist Jason Barr said: "The only information we're getting at the moment is stay in your cars. If you have enough fuel, keep your engines on to keep your heating on. |
"I'm quite lucky, I've got some water, some food. I've got a charger for my phone and some spare fuel in my back, so I'm quite well prepared. | "I'm quite lucky, I've got some water, some food. I've got a charger for my phone and some spare fuel in my back, so I'm quite well prepared. |
"But I do imagine there's other people a little bit worse off than me. I mean, I've tried to get past certain cars and there's people that have given up and are asleep in the middle of the lanes, in their cars." | "But I do imagine there's other people a little bit worse off than me. I mean, I've tried to get past certain cars and there's people that have given up and are asleep in the middle of the lanes, in their cars." |
'Snowball fights' | |
David Morris, the Conservative MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, was stuck on the M6 for more than three hours. | |
He told the BBC the snow "came from nowhere". | |
"It's a surreal scene to be had. We've even been having snowball fights on the M6." | |
A spokesman for the agency said: "The snowstorms became very heavy last night and many drivers became stuck in the snow, especially heavy lorries as they tried to make it up hills. | A spokesman for the agency said: "The snowstorms became very heavy last night and many drivers became stuck in the snow, especially heavy lorries as they tried to make it up hills. |
"Some drivers abandoned their cars which has made it difficult for us to clear paths through the snow. | "Some drivers abandoned their cars which has made it difficult for us to clear paths through the snow. |
"We have had to move the cars to the side while staff continue to clear the areas, but we are urging people not to leave their cars. | "We have had to move the cars to the side while staff continue to clear the areas, but we are urging people not to leave their cars. |
"Please stay in your car and we will come to you." | "Please stay in your car and we will come to you." |
Elsewhere, flights have been suspended at Leeds Bradford Airport as a fresh blanket of snow covered most of the Yorkshire region. | Elsewhere, flights have been suspended at Leeds Bradford Airport as a fresh blanket of snow covered most of the Yorkshire region. |
Temperatures will steadily rise to an average of 4C later before reaching more than 10C in the south on Sunday followed by wet and windy weather next week, forecasters said. | Temperatures will steadily rise to an average of 4C later before reaching more than 10C in the south on Sunday followed by wet and windy weather next week, forecasters said. |
Are you still stranded on the M6? Please tell us your story using the form below. | |
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