Motorists are being warned of dangerous road conditions this afternoon following two collisions on a major motorway in the North West of England.
National Highways has announced that the M53 in Merseyside is closed between Junction 4 (Clatterbridge) and Junction 5 (Hooton).
It follows a collision involving two cars which occurred at around 11am this morning. Merseyside Police and National Highways traffic officers are in attendance at the scene.
The transport organisation stated that the carriageway will be treated before reopening once recovery is complete.
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Taking to social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, Merseyside Police Roads Policing Unit confirmed that the carriageway was closed.
It warned that conditions were icy on both carriageways, with drivers told to slow down.
A later update stated that gritting vehicles have been on the road and in the area, but that drivers should continue to remain cautious.
Drivers are being warned of two road traffic collisions on the M53 this afternoon
|MERSEYSIDE ROADS POLICING UNIT
GB News has contacted Merseyside Police for a comment.
Traffic maps show that normal traffic conditions are not expected to return for around two hours, until around 4.45pm.
Slow-moving traffic remains on the M53 back to Junction 7, while traffic conditions remain an issue on the A550.
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Long traffic delays remain on the M53 this afternoon
|NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
National Highways stated: "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time."
It called on drivers to plan their journeys ahead of time, with motorists being advised to pre-route or even delay their travels this afternoon.
National Highways has outlined a diversion route for motorists to follow if they are impacted by the road closure.
Road users are advised to follow the hollow diamond diversion symbol on road signs:
- Leave the M53 southbound at Junction 4
- At M53 Jct 4/A5137 roundabout, take the fourth exit onto B5151 southbound Mount Road for 5.9km
- At B5151/B5133 junction, turn left onto B5133 eastbound Neston Road for 4.2km
- At the junction with the A41, turn left heading towards M53
- At A41/M53 Junction 5 roundabout, take the third exit to rejoin M53 southbound