Roads closed LIVE across England as wild weather batters UK
A number of motorways and roads have been closed across England tonight as wild weather continues to grip the UK. We are currently covering closures of the A4545 in the West Midlands and the M62 in Manchester. More closures will be added in or removed throughout the night as situations change.
Keep across the latest in our live blog below.
04:28Rachel Vickers-PriceA4545 Midlands: New carriageway still closed
The A4545 remains closed in both directions between the M42 (Solihull) and the A45 (Birmingham Airport/NEC). The carriageway was closed due to water over the road after a heavy downpour of rain lashed the West Midlands in the last 24 hours. To combat the flooded road, National Highways has specialist contractors and pumping equipment on-site to clear the standing water.
Motorists are advised to expect delays if you are heading toward Birmingham Airport, the NEC, or Resorts World as a result. The Met Office weather forecast indicates further light rain is expected, which may slow down water clearance efforts.
04:22Rachel Vickers-PriceM62 Manchester: Flood chaos lessens, some lanes remain closed
The closures around the M62 remain between Junction 11 (Birchwood) and Junction 12 (Eccles Interchange/M60), near Manchester City Airport. For traffic heading eastbound, two lanes have been closed overnight for "ongoing flood water clearance works", as per National Highways.
Motorists are advised to expect bottlenecks of traffic as four lanes merge down into two. For westbound traffic, lane closures in place on Saturday were lifted late Saturday evening. Traffic is currently flowing as normal in this direction.
Delays previously reported by National Highways have cleared, however surface spray remains a risk due to the saturated ground.
04:12KEY EVENTM1 Leicestershire: Motorway reopens after 'serious police incident'
The M1 in Leicestershire has finally reopened in the early hours of Sunday, February 8, a major police-led incident shut down the southbound carriageway leaving drivers stranded in the dark. Emergency services and National Highways were dispatched to the scene near the Leicester Forest East service station late on Saturday night, with police closing the southbound motorway between Junction 22 (Markfield) and Junction 21 (Leicester/M69). A diversion was put in place for motorists on approach, with traffic redirected to use the A50.
But for those trapped behind the blue lights, there was nothing to do but sit and wait. Those trapped in the closure were eventually extricated, with authorities, escorting vehicles out of the closure via a single-lane crawl to get them on the road once more. The police investigation has since concluded, and the M1 has now fully reopened.
04:05KEY EVENTM5 Gloucestershire: All lanes now open
The M5 in Gloucestershire is back in business, with all main lanes now open.
A partial closure took place between Junction 11 (Golden Valley) and Junction 10 (Cheltenham) for emergency barrier repairs. This has now cleared The collision scene was cleared by 1.30am and the emergency barrier repair work was completed, and the lane reopened by 2.30am.
03:13KEY EVENTA21 Kent: Traffic chaos ends as emergency repairs finished
Motorists in Kent are breathing a sigh of relief with the overnight closure of the southbound lanes of the A21 completed ahead of schedule.
The road had been closed overnight following urgent safety issues with the central barriers. Diverted traffic resulted in heavy congestion for the surrounding roads and the recommended diversion route. But, a spokesperson for National Highways has confirmed the emergency work is finished.
Traffic cones have been whisked away and the route through the heart of Kent is once again all clear.
02:51Rachel Vickers-PriceM62 Manchester: Flooding triggers chaos for road users near another airport
Floodwaters are obstructing roads close to another major airport. According to National Highways traffic data, floodwaters have affected the M62 near Manchester City Airport. Another road affected by flooding is the A4545 near Birmingham Airport, which is closed in both directions in the Midlands.
The traffic situation in Manchester City is currently rated as "severe" for drivers.
02:06KEY EVENTM1 Leicestershire: What you need to know
If you're low on time, here is the low-down for the M1 southbound closure impacting traffic in Leicestershire.
-
THE CLOSURE: The M1 is strictly closed Southbound between Junction 22 (Markfield) and Junction 21 (Leicester).
-
THE CAUSE: A "serious police-led incident." Emergency services and forensic teams are on-site, meaning the road is a crime scene and will not open until investigations are complete.
-
TRAFFIC BACKLOG: Tailbacks now stretch past Junction 23 (Loughborough). If you are caught in the "trapped traffic" between junctions, remain in your vehicle; police are working to turn drivers around safely.
-
THE DIVERSION: Follow the Hollow Square diversion signs. You will be sent via the A50, through Groby and Glenfield, and onto the A563 Nene Parks Way before re-joining at J21.
Or, if you are coming from further North (Derby/Nottingham), you could avoid the M1 entirely. Use the A42/M42 to bypass the Leicester gridlock and link back to the M1 further south at J19.
-
TIME PENALTY: Expect the diversion to add at least 60 minutes to your journey. Local roads in Leicester are currently "saturated" with motorway traffic.
M1 Leicestershire: Diversion route saturated with traffic
National Highways have initiated diversion protocols for the M1 closure, with the hollow square diversion now in effect.
Southbound Traffic from M1 Junction 22 -
- Exit the M1 southbound at Junction 22 and take the firstexit (left) onto the A50.
- Continue along the A50 eastbound, passing through the Field Head and Bradgate Hill Roundabouts and Lena Drive junction to the A50/A46 Interchange.
- At the interchange, take the second exit and continue along the A50 eastbound, passing through the A50 Station Road Roundabout to the A50/A563 Groby Roundabout.
- At the roundabout, take the third exit onto the A563 Nene Parks Way southbound.
- Continue southbound along the A563 passing through Dillon Way and Aikman Road junctions, Glenfield Road Roundabout, Park View junction, A563 Scudamore Road and A563/A47 Hinckley Road Roundabouts to the A563 Lubbesthorpe Way/Meridian Roundabout.
- Then take the second exit from the roundabout andcontinue southbound along to the A56/A5460 signals, then turn right and merge onto the A5640 slip road.
- Continue along the slip road and through the traffic signals and join the A5460 westbound to M1 Junction 21.
- Take the first exit and rejoin the M1 southbound.
Southbound Traffic from M1 Junction 21a and A46 -
- Exit the A46 southbound at the B5380 Kirby
- Muxloe Interchange and continue around the interchange and take the third exit north back onto the A46.
- Continue northbound along the A46 to the A46/A50 Interchange.
- Exit the Interchange and take the third exit onto the A50 westbound.
- Then continue along the diversion route as above.
Traffic is now heavy on the diversion through Leicester (A50/A563). Motorists on the road right now should be warned it is currently quicker to stay on the A1 or take the A42 instead of the diversion now in place.
01:59Rachel Vickers-PriceM1 Leicestershire: Police-led incident closes southbound motorway
A closure is impacting traffic on the M1 southbound due to a police-led incident, National Highways has confirmed. As of right now, the closure remains in place between J22 to J21 for southbound motorists.
Police are at the scene carrying out their investigations. Diversion routes are in place for motorists heading south, while northbound lanes are also experiencing delays as traffic slows near the scene of the incident to allow for rubbernecking. Tailbacks are now solid between J23 and J22.
For those stuck in the "trapped traffic" section of the M1 - so, the vehicles caught between the junction and the incident - police have started turning some vehicles around. Motorists are urged to remain patient as it is a slow process.
01:16KEY EVENTA4545 Midlands: What you need to know
For those in a rush - perhaps you're now running late for your flight, for example - here is a quick 'what you need to know' list for a quick low-down of the situation in Birmingham.
-
ROAD CLOSED: The A4545 is shut in both directions between the M42 (Solihull) and A45 (Birmingham Airport).
-
THE CAUSE: Severe flooding has left the carriageway impassable; specialist pumps and contractors are on-site.
-
AIRPORT IMPACT: Passengers heading to Birmingham Airport are warned to allow extra time or find alternative routes to avoid missing flights.
-
DIVERSION IN PLACE: Drivers are being sent via M42 Junction 6 to bypass the flooded zone.
-
WEATHER WARNINGS: The region remains on high alert with saturated ground and multiple Environment Agency flood alerts active across the West Midlands.
A4545 Midlands: Official diversion Routes
National Highways has confirmed that drivers should follow these specific routes to bypass floodwaters.
-
Heading Northbound: Stay on the M42 northbound until Junction 6, then exit to join the A45.
-
From the A45: Continue toward the M42 interchange and head southbound on the motorway.
National Highways has urged the public to rethink any travel plans if possible as the road remains impassable. A spokesperson said: "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time.
Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey."
01:12Rachel Vickers-PriceA4545 Midlands: Birmingham Airport travel chaos as major A-road submerged
Holidaymakers and commuters are facing travel misery tonight with a major A-road near Birmingham Airport now submerged by floodwaters. The A4545 in the West Midlands has been shut down in both directions between the M42 near Solihull and the A45, leaving drivers scrambling to find alternative routes. National Highways confirmed that "specialist equipment" and teams of contractors have been dispatched to the scene to deal with the rising waters.
00:46Rachel Vickers-PriceA21 Kent: Diversion route under pressure
After a quick scan of traffic feeds for delays that may impact drivers using the A21 diversion and surrounding Kent routes, the situation on the ground is stop-start in some places.
As feared, the diversion route is struggling. There is heavy congestion at Tonbridge on the B245 (London Road) and A227 (Hadlow Road) as motorists funnelling off the A21 hit local traffic lights. At the moment, motorists are looking at an extra 25-minute delay through Tonbridge town centre compared to usual Sunday traffic.
The final stretch of the diversion where you re-join the A21 is "stop-start" at Vauxhall Roundabout, so drivers are warned to keep their wits about therm while merging.
00:42Rachel Vickers-PriceA21 Kent: Diversion route
National Highways have issued a "follow the circle" directive to motorists caught up in the A21 closures this weekend. With the southbound route between Morleys Roundabout and Tonbridge still under repair, officials have activated a specialist "hollow circle" diversion. If you're stuck in the queues, keep your eyes peeled for that symbol on the yellow road signs--it's your only way out.
For those who prefer to map it out, here is the official step-by-step escape route to bypass the closure:
The A21 diversion: step-by-step
-
Leave the A21 at the Morleys Farm Roundabout.
-
Take the second exit onto the B245 (London Road).
-
Follow the road to merge onto the A227 heading towards Tonbridge.
-
Take your first left onto Bordyke/Hadlow Road (A227).
-
When you hit the second set of traffic lights, turn right onto the A26 (Cannon Lane).
-
Continue until you can re-join the A21 at the Vauxhall Roundabout.
M5 Gloucestershire: What you need to know
Emergency crews have been working at the scene to secure the area, but the lane restrictions are staying in place until the site is deemed fully safe for high-speed travel. Motorists are being advised to keep their cool and, if possible, avoid the stretch entirely until the sun comes up. What you need to know
-
THE BOTTLENECK: One lane is closed in both directions (Northbound and Southbound) between Junction 11 and Junction 10.
-
THE CAUSE: Emergency crews are dealing with the aftermath of an earlier road traffic collision that has left the motorway hampered.
-
NORTHBOUND OUTLOOK: Commuters heading north should expect delays until at least 1.30am on Sunday, February 8.
-
SOUTHBOUND OUTLOOK: The situation is worse for those heading south, with congestion and lane closures expected to remain until 2am.
-
THE ADVICE: National Highways warns that while some lanes have reopened, Ttraffic remains hampered, so drivers should expect stop-start conditions and allow extra time.
M5 Gloucestershire: : Traffic nightmare continues for drivers after horror crash
The M5 remains a no-go zone for many tonight as lane closures in both directions continue to cause major headaches for weary commuters.
While some lanes have finally been wrestled open, traffic is still crawling between Junction 11 and Junction 10 following an earlier road traffic collision. One lane remains strictly shut on both the northbound and southbound carriageways as recovery work continues.
00:24KEY EVENTA21 Kent: What you need to know
The closure was triggered by an earlier crash that left safety barriers in a state of ruin. Specialist crews are now working to carry out "urgent repairs" to the emergency barriers.
Until those safety measures are back in place, the road is strictly off-limits. What You Need to Know
-
The Route: A21 southbound from Morleys Roundabout to Tonbridge
-
The Cause: Emergency barrier repairs following an earlier accident
-
Reopening Time: Scheduled for 6am Sunday
-
The Advice: National Highways is urging drivers to find alternative routes and allow extra time for their journey.
A21 Kent: Main road closed UNTIL SUNDAY after serious crash
Kent motorists are facing a weekend of travel misery as a major stretch of the A21 remains locked down following a serious collision. National Highways has confirmed that the southbound carriage of the A21 is currently shut between Morleys Roundabout (A225) and the A26 Tonbridge.
Drivers hoping for a quick fix are out of luck as officials say the road isn't expected to reopen until 6am on Sunday, February 8.