The M62 remains closed in both directions between J20 and J22 with some drivers trapped in their cars for more than a FULL DAY.
Eastbound is closed at junction 20.
Westbound is closed between junction 21 and 24 at Ainley Top.
There has been a major operation all day to try and open the motorway which was battered by severe snow storms and 100mph winds.
The army were drafted in and RAF helicopters used as part of the efforts.
Police have urged motorists not to travel unless it is completely essential. Highways England and police worked through the night to clear the trapped traffic. The trapped Eastbound traffic was directed back on to the Westbound carriageway after officers cut through the barrier.
The Mini Beast from the East
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Key Events
M62 to remain closed all of today
Highways England have confirmed the M62 will stay shut for the rest of today
They said it could open at midnight but may not open until Saturday
Will not open soon
Highways England have said the M62 will not open before midnight and could remain closed overnight
5pm update from Highways England
Highways England has issued an M62 update for tonight.
Main points:
- Motorway likely to remain closed into the evening for drivers’ safety after wind speeds of up to 90mph reported
- Snow has now been cleared from motorway and gritters are spreading salt
- Motorway can reopen when wind speeds drop below 60mph
- Drivers urged to avoid travelling at all tonight
- 100 HGVs moved to hard shoulder overnight and welfare checks carried out
- These vehicles have now been turned around so no traffic is on closed section of motorway.
Phil Stockford, Emergency Planning Manager at Highways England, said:
We’ve been working throughout the night and during today to help drivers and will reopen the motorway as soon as the winds have reduced to a safe level. We’d urge drivers to avoid travelling this evening if at all possible as the diversion routes for the motorway are also very busy
Outlane problems - avoid Lindley Moor Road
The motorway remains closed but traffic is nose to tail all the way up Lindley Moor Road as police at Outlane are directing them where to go next. People should avoid Lindley Moor Road as they will be stuck for probably 20-30 minutes
Chinooks drafted in to help in operation
Chinook helicopters have been seen sending supplies as part of the M62 rescue operation
Friday evening and weekend weather
It looks like it’s going to snow until Sunday afternoon in Huddersfield.
The Weather Channel is predicting snow until 2pm on Sunday at least.
Temperatures will remain at freezing or below until 11am on Sunday when we should be basking in a positively Balearic 1c.
The Met Office is forecasting snow to start around 11pm tonight and continue until lunchtime tomorrow - but start again in the evening.
Again, it says snow should stop around 2pm.
Meanwhile Examiner weatherman Paul Stevens says most parts of Huddersfield should get a 5cm covering, with up to 10cm on the hills.
He says: “There will be further drifting and blowing snow as the strong easterly winds continue. The snow will slowly die away overnight leaving flurries in the wind for Saturday.
“Saturday will cloudy and cold but with the east wind continuing to ease away it won’t feel as bitter as it has done with temperatures up to 1c.
“Further snow will reach Kirklees later on Saturday night lasting into the first part of Sunday but turning to rain below 250m by Sunday pm which might bring a short period of icy conditions as rain freezes on impact.
“Monday brighter less cold with rain and snow on hills. Next week remains chilly with a brief spell of northerlies for Mothering Sunday weekend before finally milder Atlantic air returns us to something like spring.”
Good train service on Northern lines
It’s good news for commuters who use Northern trains to get around - looks like services are running well
"Priority was assessing vulnerability"
Asst Chief Cons Potts says police’s main priority was assessing whether people in the stranded vehicles and stuck HGVs were vulnerable.
He said: “We worked very hard to make sure we were checking for vulnerability. We brought food and drink for people, and some volunteers played a fantastic role in doing that as well.
“We were making sure people stranded on other roads had opportunities to get shelter, and food and drink if they weren’t able to themselves.
“He said rest centres were provided for shelter, food and water, and anyone with acute medical requirements were helped.”
200 cars trapped on M62 overnight
200 drivers spent night in their cars trapped on M62, say police.
Asst Chief Cons Rob Potts of Greater Manchester Police has spoken to the media today about what happened yesterday and the situation today.
He said some 200 drivers - not including HGVs - spent the night on the M62 as a result of the problems yesterday.
He said at its peak there were 3,500 vehicles trapped following the closure between J20 and J24.
Winds of 80mph
Winds of 80mph still being recorded on the M62.
Highways England and police have said it will not reopen until the wind is down to safe levels.
LIVE now from GMP police's M62 press briefing
Manchester Evening News
M62 Live Update from GMP Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts
Soldiers out in force
Soldiers from 2nd Lancs battalion are believed to have been drafted in to free the drivers and clear the motorway
Dramatic Twitter footage
Dramatic footage has emerged on Twitter appearing to show the aftermath of crashes in the snow storms on the M62.
This is the footage and we are currently trying to check out when and where on the motorway this happened.
