Black ice causes traffic chaos

Black ice has caused a major accident affecting traffic in Rochdale this morning.

A 25 car smash on the A627 in Oldham at 8am has caused traffic to back-up into Rochdale, causing problems with access to the M62.

The northbound carriageway of the A627 is currently closed from Oldham to the junction with Castleton, while traffic is backed up on the opposite carriageway with people slowing down to look at the accident.

Meanwhile Willbutts Lane has been closed following an accident on ice there. Police are directing traffic on Edenfield Road and Sandy Lane.

Nelson Street and Church Lane in Rochdale town centre were closed this morning after a delivery wagon skidded on black ice and into a wall on Church Lane. A police car attended the accident and it too was unable to stop on the ice and skidded into a parked car.

Spotland Road was also closed earlier this morning after a car skidded on ice at the junction with Clement Royds Street. The road has now fully re-opened but traffic lights are not working at the junction with St Mary's Gate, leaving a traffic free-for-all.

Black ice is affecting the whole of the borough and Rochdale Online has received reports of numerous minor collisions. Drivers are advised to be careful and to drive slowly.

A spokesman for Rochdale Council said: “Last night we gritted roads in keeping with the latest advice from central Government to focus on priority routes.

"At rush hour today, freezing rain fell on roads that were at freezing point already. This meant a lot of black ice formed, creating hazardous driving conditions in many areas. Where this happens, the grit already on the roads has very little effect - and putting more grit down doesn't always work either because the rain freezes on top of it.

“Motorists and pedestrians are advised to take extra care and travel only if essential. Where roads become too dangerous we will act on police instructions to close them.”