A MAJOR UK motorway has come grinding to a halt amid heavy snowfall and punishing winds after a lorry crash sparked travel chaos.
Three lanes of the four-lane M1 north are closed between J28, Mansfield, and J29, Chesterfield, after the collision.
Emergency services were scrambled to the scene in the early hours of this morning when the large vehicle crashed on the bustling motorway.
Recovery work is under way with specialist winter fleet vehicles sent out to assist amid the snowy conditions.
Snow has begun to build up on the closed lanes, further delaying efforts to reopen the route.
Severe delays are expected with rush-hour drivers currently battling waits of up to half an hour.
There is currently four miles of traffic built up along the busy road as Storm Goretti continues to pile heavy snow along the route.
A National Highways spokesperson said: “3 lanes (of 4) closed M1 north between J28 Mansfield and J29 Chesterfield following a collision involving a lorry
“Recovery is underway & winter fleet vehicles en route to clear snow which has settled in the closed lanes
“Delays of up to 30 mins & approx. 4 miles congestion.”
Warning Brits about the extreme weather, the agency added: “Routes particularly around Birmingham across to Leicester and Nottingham will see particularly difficult driving conditions and consideration of the weather forecast should be taken before commencing journeys, with considerable delays possible, with the A628 Woodhead Pass also likely to be affected.”
