Overview
- Network Rail’s project has fully closed the M6 between junctions 39 and 40 from 8pm Friday, January 2, to 5am Monday, January 5, with a second closure set for January 9–12 and signed diversion routes in place.
- National Highways warns drivers to avoid the affected M6 stretch where possible, advising northbound traffic via the A6 and routing southbound HGVs to the A1(M) via the A66, with other southbound traffic using the A66 and A685 to rejoin at J38.
- The M42 was shut in both directions between J9 (Curdworth/M6 Toll) and J10 (Tamworth) on Friday morning for a police-led incident, with traffic officers managing northbound and southbound diversions.
- Multiple collisions closed parts of the A46 near Willoughby-on-the-Wolds after vehicles slid off an icy carriageway, with police urging drivers to avoid the route; firefighters freed one trapped person and National Highways re-gritted after explaining low overnight traffic reduced salt effectiveness.
- In the North West, crashes on the M60, M56 and M602 prompted lane holds and short-term closures during Friday’s icy start, but those incidents were cleared, and the A38 in Derby reopened around 10am after gritting and barrier repairs following a two-car collision.