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Stranded M74 drivers make their way home Forecasters issue new warning of persistent heavy snow
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of drivers forced to spend the night in their cars by snow on the main route between Scotland and England are now moving again. Forecasters have issued a fresh warning of persistent heavy snow for southern Scotland and north east England.
Mountain rescue teams were sent to help those stuck on the M74 during severe weather at Millbank and Beattock. A Met Office amber "be prepared" alert is now in place from 21:00 on Wednesday until 05:00 on Thursday.
Hundreds of drivers who spent the night stranded on the main route between Scotland and England have resumed their journey.
Traffic Scotland said it was an improving picture on the M74 with vehicles moving, albeit slowly.
Public transport has been disrupted and schools will remain closed in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.Public transport has been disrupted and schools will remain closed in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Traffic Scotland said it was now an improving picture with vehicles moving, albeit slowly in places. The upgraded Met Office warning said travel delays were likely on roads with a risk that some vehicles and passengers could become stranded.
The Met Office amber "be prepared" warning for snow and ice has now been lifted but less severe yellow warnings remain in place with snow and ice forecast until Friday evening. Delays or cancellations are likely to rail and air travel. Some rural communities are likely to become cut off and power cuts are "probable".
Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England are likely to be affected. Less severe yellow warnings remain in place with snow and ice forecast until Friday evening, with Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England likely to be affected.
The worst problems overnight were on the M74 in Lanarkshire and Dumfries and Galloway, with the motorway completely shut at times.
Mountain rescue teams were sent to help drivers trapped in cars at Millbank and Beattock, checking they were warm and had adequate supplies.
Disruption had been reported on the M62 trans-Pennine motorway, although by Wednesday morning traffic was able to move.Disruption had been reported on the M62 trans-Pennine motorway, although by Wednesday morning traffic was able to move.
There have also been some school closures in Yorkshire. There are about 30 schools in Bradford which are to remain closed or have opened late.There have also been some school closures in Yorkshire. There are about 30 schools in Bradford which are to remain closed or have opened late.
The worst problems overnight were around junction 12 of the M74 in South Lanarkshire southbound and between junctions 14 and 15 northbound. At times the road was closed altogether. Travel on the M74 was particularly difficult around junction 12 of the M74 in South Lanarkshire southbound and between junctions 14 and 15 northbound.
One driver stuck on the northbound carriageway of the M74, Fergus McCann, said the impatience of other drivers was making things worse. One driver stuck on the northbound carriageway of the M74, Fergus McCann, said the impatience of other drivers had made things worse.
He told the BBC: "There's been a fair bit of impatient driving going on.He told the BBC: "There's been a fair bit of impatient driving going on.
"People are in one queue, then people are cutting out and trying to go down lanes that clearly are not for driving on."People are in one queue, then people are cutting out and trying to go down lanes that clearly are not for driving on.
"It's not a surprise that you're getting a few hundred yards down the road and you're seeing them facing the wrong way.""It's not a surprise that you're getting a few hundred yards down the road and you're seeing them facing the wrong way."
Steve Harris became stranded on the M74 at 17:30 GMT and was still stuck between junctions 11 and 12 more than eight hours later.Steve Harris became stranded on the M74 at 17:30 GMT and was still stuck between junctions 11 and 12 more than eight hours later.
"I've not moved really in the last four hours," he told BBC Radio 5 live at about 03:00 GMT."I've not moved really in the last four hours," he told BBC Radio 5 live at about 03:00 GMT.
"I've managed to get out of my car a couple of times to stretch my legs. The snow is probably between four and six inches deep around the cars.""I've managed to get out of my car a couple of times to stretch my legs. The snow is probably between four and six inches deep around the cars."
A number of schools will remain closed because of the weather conditions. Dozens of schools across Scotland will remain closed because of the weather conditions.
Scottish Borders Council has said no schools will open in its area.Scottish Borders Council has said no schools will open in its area.
Nearly 30 schools and nurseries are closed in South Lanarkshire and there are also a number of schools shut in East Ayrshire, Stirling, Falkirk, Perth and Kinross, and the Highlands.Nearly 30 schools and nurseries are closed in South Lanarkshire and there are also a number of schools shut in East Ayrshire, Stirling, Falkirk, Perth and Kinross, and the Highlands.
Snow was still a hazard on urban roads at the start of the rush hour.Snow was still a hazard on urban roads at the start of the rush hour.
Earlier, police in Dumfries and Galloway warned against "all but essential travel".Earlier, police in Dumfries and Galloway warned against "all but essential travel".
Dumfries & Galloway Virtual Operations Support Team - which was set-up to respond to the weather issues in the region - said: "We are working to clear the stuck vehicles and clear the crashes.Dumfries & Galloway Virtual Operations Support Team - which was set-up to respond to the weather issues in the region - said: "We are working to clear the stuck vehicles and clear the crashes.
"Please remain in your vehicle and signal the mountain rescue team or police if you need any help or contact us via 999.""Please remain in your vehicle and signal the mountain rescue team or police if you need any help or contact us via 999."
Scottish Fire and Rescue's station manager in Dumfries and Galloway said motorists had been driving "too close behind me" on his way to a crash, despite "blizzard conditions".Scottish Fire and Rescue's station manager in Dumfries and Galloway said motorists had been driving "too close behind me" on his way to a crash, despite "blizzard conditions".
Have you been affected by snow in your area? If it's safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by snow in your area? If it's safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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