A four-vehicle accident on the southbound M53 has resulted in slow moving traffic heading down the Wirral towards Chester and Ellesmere Port on a cold and icy morning (Friday, January 15).
The collision, by junction 5 (A41, Eastham), is affecting traffic from Birkenhead.
BBC Travel reports: “Very slow traffic and the main road is closed, with traffic being routed around the junction and back on again.”
A diversion is in operation using exit and entry slip roads. Congestion is currently described as ‘severe’.
North West Motorway Police advise: “Slow down, keep your distance and drive to the conditions, lots of ice around this morning.”
Cheshire Police has also advised drivers to take extra care during the freezing conditions.
A spokeswoman said: "Police are warning motorists to take extra care following a number of collisions on the A54 Kelsall by pass and surrounding areas.
"The roads are still icy so please allow extra time for your journey. The icy conditions appear to be affecting many of the roads in Cheshire so please take extra care when driving this morning."
In a tweet, the force said: “Please be careful on the roads this morning. Lots of calls being received about the slippy conditions.”
And there are also reports of the roads being particularly icy near the Bickerton Poacher, Malpas.
Predictably, North Wales is among the areas worst hit by the wintry conditions.
Twitter account UK Snow Updates tweeted: “Scottish and Welsh mountains are all considered high risk at the moment (English mountains medium risk) primarily due to the colder temps.”
Earlier there were delays for rail travellers on the line between Chester and Stockport, due to a signalling problem, but this has now been resolved.
