Motorists have found themselves in huge rush-hour queues this morning as roadworks, snow and a road closure triggered gridlock. Drivers attempting to get through Wolstanton were left bumper-to-bumper after an oil spill shut Grange Lane.
Matters were not made any easier by the snowfall and temporary lights running in Longport – causing queues on Porthill Bank. Now highways teams are on Grange Lane – which links Church Lane to the A500 – as the route remains shut.
Traffic monitoring system Inrix has confirmed a closure has been in place since around 4.30am this morning. Staffordshire County Council, which has sent crews to the incident, says the issue is ‘being assessed’.
Traffic queuing in Wolstanton
This morning and that closure exacerbated traffic problems in and around Newcastle. Heavy snow had covered side roads with drivers instead sticking to main routes.
But they were hampered by not only the road closure but temporary lights on Newcastle Street in Longport. Those works, being carried out by Severn Trent close to the Davenport Street roundabout, should be completed by tomorrow evening.
Meanwhile this afternoon and there are also reports of flooding on Porthill Bank close to the A500 which is causing issues.
Queues on Porthill Bank by the A500 roundabout
This morning and there was gridlock across High Street in both directions all the way from Porthill Bank to Sandy Lane; Basford Park Road; Milehouse Lane; Alexandra Road; Dimsdale Parade East; Silverdale Road; Watlands View; Porthill Bank; Bradwell Lane – all the way from the A34 to Porthill Bank; and Etruria Road through Basford.
For the latest on the Grange Lane closure follow our live blog here.
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