Parts of Merseyside was plunged into "chaos" on Monday morning after multiple crashes closed roads across the region.
It's another freezing week in Merseyside as the Met Office warned that fog and patches of ice are likely to lead to some slow or difficult journeys. As temperatures plummet, motorists are urged to take care when out on the road and expect delays.
Public transport has also been impacted with trains cancelled and buses temporarily suspended or diverted. But motorists were experiencing severe delays on Monday as several roads were closed due to early morning crashes.
READ MORE: Live update as police close roads after crashes in bad weather conditions
At around 6.50am, Speke Boulevard Eastbound was closed following a multi-vehicle collision. The four-vehicle crash closed a lane between the Speke Shopping Centre, Speke to A562 in Halewood. The slip road from Halewood to the boulevard was also closed.
There was heavy congestion in surrounding areas with parts of Halewood and Halebank "gridlocked". There was heavy traffic on Knowsley Expressway also. One woman, travelling from Widnes towards Speke, described the roads as "absolutely horrific".
She told the ECHO: "Halebank is absolutely horrific heading towards Speke. It's chaos. Just avoid the area completely unless you're happy to wait. We were there for ages."
Another woman added that when Speke Boulevard is closed, "all hell breaks loose" around Halewood. She said: "Sometimes it can take an hour to make a 10 minute journey when the roads are clogged up."
Merseyside Police confirmed that officers were called to Speke Boulevard following a four-vehicle crash. The area remained closed for more than five hours as people were urged to avoid the area. It is not yet known when the road will fully re-open but accident investigation works are taking place.
There is not believed to be any injuries but there was much disruption to the roads. Liverpool John Lennon Airport urged people to allow for extra time when traveling to the airport this morning.
The Arriva bus service 3 was diverted via Leathers Lane in Halewood, Higher Road and Woodend Avenue, omitting Hollies Road, Lower Road, Higher Road, Speke Boulevard and Morrisons, due to the crash.
The Rocket Flyover was also closed on Monday morning due to a "minor road traffic collision and adverse weather conditions". This was re-opened after a couple of hours and traffic returned to "normal".
Merseytravel said- on social media: "Due to icy conditions across the region, some public transport services may be subject to delay, last-minute change or cancellation. Please plan ahead, check with the relevant operator before you travel & allow extra time for your journey where necessary."
The Mersey Ferry service had also been suspended due to the fog and poor weather conditions.
The cold weather conditions are expected to stay throughout this week. Steve Willington, Met Office chief meteorologist, said: "It is staying cold with daytime temperatures remaining only a few degrees above freezing in many places over the coming days and overnight temperatures dropping to -10°C or lower in isolated spots. Although below average, these temperatures are not that unusual for this time of year."
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