Safety warnings as snow impacts North-West roads

Drivers have been urged to take care to "not get stranded" as temperatures across the North West of England dropped below freezing and snow and ice disrupted travel.

National Highways has issued an amber severe weather alert for snow for the whole region and said travel on the roads was "likely to be extended or even disrupted".

The A628 Woodhead Pass has been closed in both directions between the A616 at Hollingworth in Greater Manchester and the A57 at Flouch in South Yorkshire due to snow, with falls of up to 6in (15cm) on a number of major roads possible, the agency said.

Snow clearing and anti-icing measures were taken on tram and train tracks overnight ahead of services, with some bus routes being diverted, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said.

TfGM has advised commuters to take extra care and allow extra time for their journeys.

"Temperatures will drop below freezing as the country braces itself for a cold snap, making it essential that people do not get stranded," it added.

As it happened: First winter snow causes disruption in north-west England

A number of cross-Pennine roads have also been closed due to snow, as well as the Cat and Fiddle Manchester Road in Whaley Bridge.

Grane Road in Haslingden has been closed between junction 5 on the M65 and Holcombe Road due to a crash, Lancashire Police said.

"The road will be closed for some time whilst we make sure the road is safe," the force added.

Cheshire Police said officers went out earlier with gritters and to check abandoned cars for people.

"Frustratingly [drivers] have ignored the road closed signs and a couple are now stopped right in the carriageway way which prevents the plough and gritter from being able to do its work on sections of the highway," Cheshire Police Rural Crime Team said in a Facebook post.

TfGM said bus services 456 and 458 in Bury and Rochdale have diversions in place due to the weather conditions.

The 184 route through Marsden has also been diverted via Old Mount Road, as TfGM said it has been unable to serve Mount Road due to snow.

National Highways Regional Operations Manager Dee Murray said the agency had a "massive operation" out overnight using gritters on the roads.

He said although there was not as much snow as expected, drivers still needed to take care while driving.

Mr Murray told BBC Radio Manchester it was "still very cold out there".

"It's not maybe as visible, the danger, because there's not as much snow," he added.

He said drivers should ensure their cars are fully fuelled and topped up with windscreen wiper fluid before beginning their journeys, and should take warm clothing, a torch and an "old school map" in case of becoming stranded.

"Just think what's going to happen if you have to get out of that nice warm car and you can't keep the heater on," he added.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber cold health alert for the whole of the North West, which is in place until 18:00 GMT on Saturday.

The agency said the weather conditions would lead to an increased risk to older and vulnerable people and would likely have a significant impact on health services.

The Met Office UK said a yellow warning for snow and ice would remain in place until 11:00 GMT, with "another chilly night to come with but largely clear skies allowing a frost to form", and a minimum temperature of -1C.

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