A winter storm has wreaked havoc on the roads, leaving 50 drivers stranded in a snow-bound closure on the A5 near the M6 toll in the West Midlands. This live blog will keep you updated as the situation unfolds.
But here's the twist: Despite the road being reopened, the drivers remain stuck, according to traffic monitoring site Inrix. The site reported that around 50 cars were stuck within the closure, with traffic queueing from M6 Toll JT4 to Bitterscote Drive. An update at 9 am confirmed the road closure and the number of stranded vehicles.
Transport for West Midlands has advised residents to avoid travel if possible, especially by road, bus, train, or Metro. This warning comes as Network Rail also urged people not to travel by train due to the severe weather conditions, with many routes closed and limited services available.
The A5 has since been reopened, but the drivers' plight continues. An update at 9:41 am stated that while the road is passable, approximately 50 cars are still stuck within the closure. This situation raises questions about the effectiveness of road reopening procedures and the support provided to stranded drivers.
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest developments on this unfolding story. And feel free to share your thoughts in the comments: Should more be done to assist drivers in such situations, or is this an inevitable consequence of severe weather conditions?
