Drivers on the M62 in West Yorkshire faced significant delays after a car caught fire on the motorway, causing the vehicle to be completely destroyed by the flames. The incident occurred between junction 27 and junction 26, resulting in the closure of the westbound carriageway as emergency services worked to extinguish the fire and clear the wreckage. Traffic was backed up for miles as motorists tried to navigate around the charred remains of the vehicle, with delays of up to an hour reported for those heading westbound.
The disruption on the M62 added to the already strained road and rail networks in the region, which had been impacted by heavy rain and flooding the previous day. Train services were delayed, and several roads were closed due to the adverse weather conditions. The A421 in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, remained shut down as flooding blocked the road in both directions, causing knock-on effects for traffic on the A5.
Meanwhile, Chiltern Railways services between Banbury and Bicester North and Haddenham & Thame Parkway were also affected by flooding, with disruptions extended until the end of the day. Trains were running at a severely reduced speed, leading to delays of up to 30 minutes for passengers. Alternative routes were made available for affected commuters, including services by Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, and West Midlands Railway.
In a separate development, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer renewed his pledge to nationalize the UK railways, with plans to bring train services back under public ownership. The government had rushed The Railway Services Bill through the House of Commons, paving the way for the nationalization of private train firms whose franchises were set to expire. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh expressed determination to waste no time in transitioning train operations to public ownership, with Greater Anglia and West Midlands likely to be the first operators to be nationalized.
As the day progressed, updates from National Highways indicated that the car fire on the M62 continued to cause significant delays, with recovery and cleanup works ongoing. The westbound carriageway remained closed between junction 27 and junction 26, with traffic passing the scene in lane 4. The situation led to hour-long delays for motorists traveling westbound, exacerbating the already challenging traffic conditions in the region.
The disruption on the M62 was part of a series of transportation issues affecting various modes of travel in the UK. At Gatwick Airport, flights were delayed, but no major cancellations were reported, while at Heathrow Airport, a number of departures had to be cancelled due to reasons unrelated to the weather. In London, the District line on the Tube was partially suspended following a signal failure, causing inconvenience for commuters during their morning travel.
Furthermore, a signalling fault disrupted trains between Romford and London Liverpool Street, leading to cancellations and delays on Elizabeth line and Greater Anglia services. Meanwhile, heavy flooding blocked train tracks in Oxfordshire, affecting services between Rugby and Milton Keynes, with disruptions expected to last until midday. In Kent and Sussex, flooding continued to impact train services between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings, forcing Southeastern to run a limited service for the day.
Overall, the transportation sector in the UK faced a series of challenges, from car fires on motorways to train delays and cancellations due to adverse weather conditions. As authorities worked to address the various issues affecting travel, commuters were urged to stay informed about the latest updates and alternative routes to minimize disruptions to their journeys.