PLUNGING temperatures and heavy snow brought misery to motorists as the county’s roads struggled to cope over the weekend.

Some drivers were stuck for hours on the M5 after the northbound carrigeway was closed just north of Worcester.

Gritting teams worked throughout the weekend to keep main roads clear, but at times most roads became impassable.

Meanwhile, bus services were cancelled and trains disrupted.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the M5 southbound between junction five, Droitwich, and six, Worcester north, at 9.40am on Saturday to an accident involving a lorry and a car. One person was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital with minor injuries.

The service was later called to an accident between junction four, the M42, and five at 10.15am to reports of a crash involving a lorry and two cars.

One person was treated for minor leg injuries.

But it was on the northbound carriageway that the problems were worse after a jack-knifed lorry blocked all three lanes.

Worcester News reporter Claire Fry was stuck between junction seven, Worcester south, and six for about six hours. After leaving Worcester at 2pm, she eventually got home to Eardiston, near Tenbury Wells, at about 9.30pm.

“Traffic wouldn’t move for about half an hour and then, when you did, it was just a few metres,” she said. “Even when I got off the motorway the roads were awful.”

Bus services in Worcester city centre were cancelled due to the weather leaving shoppers stranded.

Train operator Cross Country said some services in the Midlands were delayed or cancelled because of the weather. But London Midland said its services were running as normal yesterday.

Some delays were caused by a points failure at Worcester on Sunday morning, which prevented trains leaving the depot.

On Sunday, West Midlands Ambulance Service urged people not to drive as Worcestershire experienced sub-zero temperatures and road conditions became treacherous.

On Friday, the service received a record number of calls to reports of breathing problems, road accidents, slips, trips and falls.

The service responded to 3,941 calls throughout the West Midlands – about 120 more than last year’s New Years Eve, traditionally its busiest time.

A spokesman said: “We ask people to not make any unnecessary journeys on foot or by car. If you do need to go out, remember to wrap up warm, to wear appropriate footwear if walking and, if driving, to take a shovel, blankets, snacks, warm drinks and medication if appropriate.”

Worcestershire County Council’s gritting team were out in force over the weekend. Snow ploughs worked all day on Saturday but many drivers encountered difficulties, particularly on hills, which led to congestion. Police had to assist ploughs through the traffic.

Members of the Original Welsh Borders Morris Men jumped off their coach to help push cars up London Road, in Worcester.

Further gritting of primary routes started at 11am yesterday, followed by gritting of secondary routes. Jon Fraser, highways customer and community manager, said: “It is vital that motorists adjust their driving to the conditions and residents should also take care on side roads and residential areas, which are not on the main gritting routes, as they could be particularly difficult to negotiate.

“The advice, therefore, remains that motorists should not assume roads have been gritted. They should also be aware of the risk of black ice, as in the predicted low temperatures, grit becomes less effective, therefore they should adjust their driving accordingly.”

• Get the latest weather forecast here.
• Get the latest travel news here.

• Send your weather pictures to yournews@worcesternews.co.uk and we'll add them to our gallery here.