Drivers face nightmare journeys as M6 and M25 close after lorry ‘struck central reservation’ and vehicle overturned in bad weather

By FRANKIE ELLIOTT[1]

Published: 14:25, 6 January 2025 | Updated: 19:33, 6 January 2025

Thousands of drivers are facing nightmare journeys on two major motorways today after a lorry crashed into a central reservation and another vehicle overturned in the severe winter weather.

On top of having to battle the icy and snowy conditions this morning, commuters on the M6 and M25 faced even more travel chaos after they discovered roads had been closed following two separate accidents during the night.

Pictures of long ques of stationary vehicles were seen in Surrey after a section of the M25 was closed between Junction 10 in Guildford and Junction 8 in Reigate following a crash on Sunday night.

According to the National Highways, a lorry had collided with the central reservation at 11:50pm and had 'come to rest sideways across the carriageway'.

No injuries were reported and the lorry has been removed from the scene, but closures are set to remain in place until at least 3pm.

And in Cumbria, two lanes on the M6 were closed in the early hours of Monday morning after a vehicle was reported to have overturned, leading to delays on the roads.

It comes as many people suffered travel disruption today due to weather - with major roads closed, railway lines blocked and Manchester Airport[2]'s runway closed for a time.

The AA had already branded today 'Miserable Monday', as it expected up to 20 distress calls a minute as many workers headed back to the office after two weeks off - with some having not used their car since before Christmas[3].

Pictures of long ques of stationary vehicles were seen in Surrey after a section of the M25 was closed between Junction 10 in Guildford and Junction 8 in Reigate following a crash on Sunday night

According to the National Highways, a lorry had collided with the central reservation at 11:50pm and had 'come to rest sideways across the carriageway'

The National Highways said the M25 carriageway was closed until 7am following the lorry crash, before lane 1 was re-opened until 11am.

To allow an air ambulance and its crew to access the scene, the clockwise carriageway was also blocked for some time.

The full carriageway was then fully closed again until 3pm so the roads could be fully resurfaced.

Lanes two, three and four of the anti-clockwise carriageway need resurfacing due to a diesel spill, while lanes three and four of the clockwise carriageway are also being closed to allow the central reservation to be replaced.

Drivers are being told to allow for extra journey time and to plan ahead as the National Highways work towards fully re-opening the road by this evening's rush hour.

Elsewhere, another HGV vehicle overturned in the central reservation of the M6 between Junctions 37 in Kendal and 36 in Crooklands at 2.02am.

The vehicle has now been recovered but the central barrier requires repair, the National Highway said.

At one point, two of the three lanes were closed in both directions, but this has since been reduced to just one lane being shut off to motorists.

iIn Cumbria, two lanes on the M6 were closed in the early hours of Monday morning after a vehicle was reported to have overturned (pictured: CCTV captures the M6 Southbound which continues to experience delays)

TODAY: A series of snow and ice warnings remain in force for much of the UK this morning

TOMORROW: The snow and ice warning for the West runs from 5pm today until 10am tomorrow

The UK Health Security Agency extended its amber cold weather health alert until January 12

The Environment Agency had issued 146 flood warnings (in red), meaning flooding is expected, and 283 flood alerts (in amber), meaning flooding is possible, across England today

Traffic is said to be coping well with the disruption, but the Highways currently doesn't have a time yet for when the repairs will be complete.

It comes as many commuters today suffered travel disruption from severe weather, with major roads closed and railway lines blocked.

Manchester Airport's runways were closed early this morning because of heavy snow but have since reopened.

Much of Britain will be hit by further heavy snow this week, after the Met Office today issued fresh weather warnings running until the end of Wednesday.

A new yellow snow and ice warning for South West England, the West Midlands, the North West and much of Wales will be active from 5pm today until 10am tomorrow.

This warns of icy stretches developing this evening and further snow on the way with up to 2cm (0.8in) at lower levels and 5cm (2in) above 200m (650ft) in Wales.

A second new snow warning was also announced by the Met Office today for southern England, including South London, on Wednesday from 9am to midnight.

Forecasters said up to 5cm (2in) could accumulate fairly widely, and as much as 10cm (4in) on higher ground, especially over east or northeast-facing slopes.

There is also a new snow and ice warning for northern Scotland from 4pm today until midday tomorrow, and in Northern Ireland from 3pm today until 11am tomorrow.

In addition, officials at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have extended their amber cold weather health alert for all of England until at least noon this Sunday.

The alerts had originally been imposed until Wednesday amid continued fears over 'significant impacts across health and social care services' over the coming days.

References

1. ^ FRANKIE ELLIOTT (www.dailymail.co.uk)
2. ^ Manchester Airport (www.dailymail.co.uk)
3. ^ Christmas (www.dailymail.co.uk)