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Snow brings M6 near Wigan to a standstill Snow brings M6 near Wigan to a standstill
(35 minutes later)
Heavy snowfall has left motorists stranded in their cars on a stretch of motorway in Greater Manchester. Heavy snowfall left motorists stranded for hours in their cars on motorways in the north of England.
The Highways Agency closed the M6 in both directions between junctions 25 and 27, near Wigan. The Highways Agency closed the M6 in both directions between junctions 25 and 27, near Wigan, at about 20:30 GMT.
Up to 15cm (6in) of snow has fallen across parts of northern England since Friday afternoon The M6, as well as the M56 and M58 which were also blocked, are now all moving again but remain heavily congested with long tailbacks, Lancashire Police said.
The agency is working to set up a shelter at Charnock Services, near junction 28, for drivers stranded in freezing temperatures. Up to 15cm (6in) of snow has fallen across northern England since Friday.
'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. At 03:00 GMT, Lancashire Police tweeted: "Be reassured, we're doing all we can to get things moving again.
"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.""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. Jason Barr, who was stranded on the M6, 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''Snowball fights'
David Morris, the Conservative MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, was stuck on the M6 for more than three hours.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".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.""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."
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.Are you still stranded on the M6? Please tell us your story using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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