Severe snowfall from Storm Goretti has caused major disruption on the A42 motorway, with numerous vehicles stranded overnight between the West Midlands and Leicestershire. The stretch of the A42 southbound between Junction 14 at Tonge and Junction 13 at Ashby-De-La-Zouch remains closed due to hazardous conditions.
National Highways reports multiple vehicles require assistance amidst the heavy snow, with traffic officers on site managing the situation. Gritting trucks are en route to help improve road safety, but delays are significant. Drivers face queues lasting up to an hour approaching the closure, although some report being stuck for much longer.
One motorist shared on social media: “Been sitting here for four hours so far,” while another confirmed a complete standstill for two hours. The prolonged gridlock highlights the severe impact of Storm Goretti, which has triggered widespread disruptions across the UK including school closures, power outages, and transport delays.
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Rail services across England, Wales, and Scotland are also affected, with National Rail warning of ongoing delays through Friday evening. In Cornwall, train services were suspended from Thursday evening due to weather hazards.
Air travel has been disrupted too, with Birmingham Airport ceasing operations from 9pm Thursday owing to heavy snow on its runway.
The Met Office has issued ongoing weather warnings covering snow, strong winds, rain, and ice, forecasting challenging and dangerous travel conditions nationwide. Chief forecaster Neil Armstrong described Storm Goretti as a “multi-hazard event,” emphasizing the heaviest snowfall in parts of Wales and the Midlands, alongside strong winds in the Southwest and heavy rain in other regions.
Snow accumulations could reach up to 30cm in the worst-affected areas, with a broader blanket of 15cm expected across much of the warning zone. Motorists are urged to exercise caution and stay updated with travel advisories as conditions evolve.