Drivers tell of never-ending tailbacks on snowbound M62 road

     Do you know, a night of heavy snowfall caused madness and travel disruption across parts of the UK, with drivers stranded for more than seven hours in miles-long tailbacks on the M62 motorway. The road, running through Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, was brought to a standstill in the early hours of Friday morning, with some drivers abandoning their cars. The situation was made worse by the actions of drivers illegally using the hard shoulder and closed lanes, and overtaking other vehicles and getting stuck in fresh snow. National Highways North-West estimated that congestion on the eastbound carriageway between Rochdale and Saddleworth stretched to around eight miles at one point.

The heavy snowfall that caused widespread travel disruption in the UK, particularly on the M62, was a stark reminder of the impact of extreme weather conditions on transportation infrastructure. The incident highlighted the challenges faced by transportation authorities in keeping roads, railways, and airports open and operational during extreme weather events. In addition to the stranded drivers on the M62, the incident caused significant disruptions to the transportation network across the country. Flights were also affected, with several airports closing their runways temporarily to clear snow and ice. Passengers were left frustrated and angry as they faced long delays and cancellations, often with little information from transportation operators. The incident also highlighted the importance of individual responsibility during extreme weather events. The actions of some drivers, who illegally used the hard shoulder and closed lanes, worsened the congestion on the M62 and made it more difficult for emergency services to reach stranded drivers. In contrast, the actions of mountain rescue teams who came to the aid of stranded drivers showed the importance of community and public service during times of crisis.

 

The incident also reduced the need for effective communication and coordination between transportation authorities, emergency services, and the public during extreme weather events. The Met Office had issued several amber weather warnings prior to the heavy snowfall, but many drivers were caught off guard and unprepared for the conditions. The incident served as a reminder of the importance of staying informed and prepared during extreme weather events, and the need for transportation authorities to communicate effectively with the public to ensure their safety.

 

Overall, the incident on the M62 highlighted the vulnerability of transportation infrastructure to extreme weather conditions and the importance of planning, preparation, and collaboration in mitigating the impact of such events. As the frequency and severity of extreme weather events continue to increase due to climate change, it is crucial that transportation authorities and the public work together to ensure the resilience and sustainability of transportation networks.

Mountain rescue teams were called to assist some drivers stranded overnight on the M62, with lorries broken down all over the road across all lanes. Conditions were particularly difficult between Manchester and Leeds.

While the snow has cleared, a number of yellow warnings about hazardous icy conditions remain in place across Wales, Northern Ireland, the Midlands and north of England. In the north and west of Scotland, a warning of snow and ice is in place until 9am on Saturday.

 

What actually caused travel disruption in the UK and how were different modes of transportation affected?

Heavy snowfall caused travel disruption in parts of the UK. Storm Larisa brought gales and blizzards, that resulting in the closure of hundreds of schools, also widespread cancellations of commuter trains, and numerous flight delays and cancellations with more runways closed to clear the snow. The M62 motorway which running through Yorkshire and Greater Manchester was brought to a stop, with some drivers stopped their cars and mountain rescue teams coming to the aid of stranded drivers. The rail network experienced widespread cancellations of commuter trains between Manchester, and Liverpool because of the weather, and trains were suspended between Manchester and Sheffield due to a fallen tree. At the airports, East Midlands airport closed its runway for about three hours, while Birmingham airport closed its runway for an hour to clear heavy snow. Airport in Liverpool experienced numerous flight delays and cancellations, as did Bristol airport and Leeds Bradford. On the night of heavy snowfall, many parts of the UK were affected by the severe weather conditions, causing disorder and travel disruption. The M62 motorway, which runs through Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, was particularly badly hit, with drivers stranded in miles long tailbacks for over seven hours. Some drivers even abandoned their cars due to the conditions.

 

The situation was exacerbated by the actions of some drivers who were illegally using the hard shoulder and closed lanes, overtaking other vehicles and becoming stuck in fresh snow. The National Highways North-West told that overcrowding on the eastbound roadway between Rochdale and Saddleworth stretched to around eight miles at one point.

 

Mountain rescue teams were called to assist some drivers stranded overnight on the M62, with lorries broken down all over the road across all lanes. Conditions were particularly difficult between Manchester and Leeds.

It is important for individuals to take responsibility for their own safety during extreme weather events by staying informed and prepared. This includes keeping up to date with weather warnings, avoiding unnecessary travel if possible, and ensuring that vehicles are equipped with appropriate equipment such as snow tires and chains. It also means following the advice and guidance of transportation authorities and emergency services, and avoiding any actions that could worsen the situation for others. By taking these actions, individuals can help to reduce the impact of extreme weather events and ensure the safety of themselves and others. While the snow has cleared, the heavy snowfall caused disruption to different modes of transportation across the UK. Commuter trains between Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, York, and Liverpool were canceled due to the weather, and trains were suspended between Manchester and Sheffield due to a fallen tree. The rail network was severely affected by the conditions.

In summary, the heavy snowfall caused widespread travel disruption in the UK, with drivers stranded on the M62 motorway for hours, and transportation systems such as trains and airports severely affected by the weather conditions.