UK weather: Motorists stranded for seven hours on freezing M74 motorway in Scotland after heavy snow

Motorists were stranded for up to seven hours on a motorway in Scotland in freezing conditions after heavy snowfall brought traffic to a standstill.

Drivers faced gridlock on the M74 motorway after drivers abandoned their cars and jack-knifed lorries blocking the roads, witnesses claimed.

Many were still at a stand still early on Wednesday after spending the night sharing blankets and food with other drivers as temperatures plunged to -4C.

Police declared a critical incident and said that more than 200 people were stranded.

Transport Scotland said the M74 was now open in both directions but that conditions remained challenging after "a very difficult night".

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Some motorists complained of journeys taking up to 17 hours as they finally arrived at their destinations.

Police Scotland urged drivers to avoid the M74 junctions 9 to 12 southbound and junctions 16 to 13 northbound after drivers became stuck on the road due to the "challenging conditions".

Travel conditions remained "extremely poor" and emergency services worked overnight to resolve the situation, it added.

The force said: "Partner agencies have been working together to ensure that welfare support is provided to road users who have been stuck on the M74.

"Officers from Police Scotland are urging motorists to avoid the area. If your journey is not essential, please avoid this particular area of the M74. Further updates will be provided."

Mountain rescue teams were sent to help hundreds of people stuck on the motorway in Dumfries and Golloway on Tuesday as the severe weather caused closures at Millbank and Beattock.

Gritters worked to clear routes after they were obstructed by stranded lorries.

But they were still stuck on Wednesday morning with many sharing their distress on Twitter after spending the night in sub-zero temperatures.

Lorry driver Mark Tasker from Haddington, was queueing for more than six hours as vehicles struggled to get moving after the disruption.

He was still stranded at 8am on Wednesday at Lesmahagow travelling southbound on route to Bristol.

Mr Tasker said: "Due to the number of jack-knifed lorries and abandoned cars nobody can get moving.

"Motorists have been helping each other out with blankets and food, and truck drivers are letting people into their cabs to keep warm."

While others on social media told of journeys taking up to 17 hours due to the stand still traffic.

Vicky Tunstill wrote: "17 hour journey in total, hope everyone else stranded last night managed to get home safely."

And a man named Jonny said, at 9am: "After leaving Glasgow at 4pm I've finally made it back to Manchester, the Google maps prediction of 4.5 hours was only slightly out.... It took 17 hrs. That was some serious snow on the #M74 I hope everyone else got back safely."

It came as the north of the UK was hit by more than a foot of snow in parts of Scotland.

Borders Council said that all schools in the Borders would be closed today following heavy snow yesterday and overnight.

In a tweet it said the decision had been taken in the interests of the safety of pupils, staff, parents and carers.

It added: "The council has considered all options in making this decision, and has taken it in conjunction with advice from partners, including Police Scotland."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also urged people to be careful in the challenging conditions.

She tweeted: "The weather conditions will continue to be very difficult today. Please take care and follow advice from @policescotland and @trafficscotland."

And the freezing conditions are forecast to continue late on Wednesday.

Northern Ireland, western Scotland and north west England could all see a further dump of up to 20cm of heavy snow, according to the Met Office.

Winds could reach up to 70mph in London and the south east.