UK traffic latest updates: British commuters returning to work after Christmas face closures on major motorways and train routes

Stretches of the M1 shut and delays on M5 after HGV jack-knifed - after country hit with heavy rain, sleet and snow overnight

Commuters returning to work after Christmas face gridlock after rain, sleet and snow lashed the UK overnight, causing a series of accidents and closures of major motorways.

Air travellers were also hit amid the chaos, with flights cancelled at Heathrow and delays in Luton Airport as crews worked to de-ice planes after temperatures overnight dropped to below -4c.

But road users bore the brunt of the weather misery. The havoc included massive snarl-ups on the M1 after a lorry crashed near Lutterworth, in Leicestershire, causing tailbacks for several miles.

All of the four lanes on the southbound stretch of the motorway were shut from junction 19 early this morning as the emergency services tackled the accident.

They were later re-opened but two lanes were later closed again after a second accident, Highways England said. There were no reports of any injuries in either incident.

All lanes on the M1 have since been re-opened between J21A and J21, it added. There were still delays of up to 40 minutes but they were expected to clear.

Leicestershire Police earlier tweeted that the force was working to tackle the aftermath of the lorry crash and urged motorists to make other travel arrangements to avoid the gridlock after the festive break.

A separate tweet read: “Please be aware that Snow is falling across the county and in some cases it is settling, causing hazardous conditions for drivers. Please take care and take the necessary precautions.”

Elsewhere, a lorry jack-knifed on the M5 at junction 11a in Gloucestershire, with police calling on motorists to take “extra care” if travelling in the area.

The Eastbound stretch of the A30 near to Cornwall Services at Victoria was also shut down after what police described as a "serious" traffic accident.

An ambulance reportedly collided with a black BMW at just after 5am.

“Three persons were released before fire service attendance, and fire crews assisted police and ambulance making scene safe,” said a spokesperson for Cornwall Police, reported local newspaper The Herald.

In further headaches for commuters trying to get back to work after the Christmas break, there was disruption on the A14 westbound in Suffolk between junctions 47 Elmswell and 45 due to flooding.

It came as the Met Office issued severe weather warnings over ice, rain and snow. Up to 7cm of it fell in parts of the country overnight, while wind gusted up to 50mph and temperatures plunged to below -4C.

Air travellers were also caught up in the chaos, with British Airways cancelling more than 30 flights to and from Heathrow. Services to Amsterdam, Munich and Paris were among those affected.

BA posted on its website: “Sleet and possibly snow are forecast for the Heathrow area this morning so we are making some adjustments to our schedule.

“During cold weather conditions aircraft have to be de-iced prior to departure to ensure that they are safe and additional measures are taken to ensure the safety of our operation is maintained at all times."

Eurowings has cancelled a round-trip from Hamburg to Heathrow amid the weather chaos that has struck the country.

London City airport was forced to divert five arriving flights: two on KLM and Flybe, which went to Southend, and one on Alitalia that touched down at Gatwick.

Passengers leaving Stansted Airport were left waiting as the runway was closed temporarily to allow safety checks to be carried out.

Elsewhere, travellers at Luton Airport were also warned to expect possible delays due to sleet and snow, with reported delays of over two hours while crews de-iced their plane.

An airport spokesman said: "The airport is open and the runway operational but air traffic control restrictions are in place.

"There are some delays as airlines de-ice their aircraft. We advise all passengers to check with their airline for the latest status of their flight."

The train network was also hit by the severe weather, with travellers facing closures and delays, National Rail said. Much of the disruption was caused by debris, including trees that had blown onto tracks after a night of gale winds.

All the major train operators were affected including Southeastern, Thameslink and South Western Railway. Commuters are being urged to check the National Rail Enquiries journey planner before travelling.

In further misery, thousands were left without electricity as the wintry weather swept in overnight, with Western Power Networks saying more than 14,000 properties had been cut off.

Officials said they were working to restore all power throughout the morning - as late as midday in some areas - across its network which comprises the Midlands, South West and Wales.

Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said: "We have had some quickly changing weather overnight with a band of heavy rain and hill snow that started in the south west and is gradually moving north and eastwards.

"That's crossed Wales and is just lying over central southern England and it has brought some snow with it."

Up to 7cm of snow was recorded to have fallen over Exmoor, South Wales and the Cotswolds overnight, while other areas also saw flurries.