Multiple crashes on A46 as cold weather hits the East Midlands

Parts of a major road linking Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire have been closed after “multiple collisions” were reported.

National Highways said the southbound carriageway of the A46 – between the A606 at Hickling and the B676 near Six Hills – had been shut, with a lane also closed on the northbound side.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said one person was trapped in a vehicle after it left the A46 and hit a tree, with three other occupants also in the car and seen by ambulance service staff.

Nottinghamshire Police added no-one was believed to have sustained any life-threatening injuries after multiple vehicles “slid off” a stretch of the A46, due to the icy conditions.

Another collision has also closed the slip road, from the A453 southbound to the M1 motorway at junction 23a.

In a statement, National Highways said the collisions “occurred in close proximity due to adverse weather and road conditions”.

It said contractors would be sent to the site “to assist with gritting the road surface and ensure it is safe before re-opening”, adding local diversions have been put in place.

Both Leicestershire Police and Nottinghamshire Police are also involved in dealing with the incidents.

Nottinghamshire Police said collisions had led to the A46 being closed near Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, between junctions with the A606 and A6006.

“Nobody is currently believed to have sustained any life-threatening injuries during the respective incidents,” the force added.

BBC reporter Giles Taylor, who was at the scene on the A46 in Leicestershire, said heavy snow overnight had left conditions on the route “treacherous”.

He added “at least five vehicles” had left the road, between Six Hills and Widmerpool, some of which were in ditches.

It comes as snow and ice are expected across the UK on Friday, as forecasters warn of a “prolonged spell of very cold weather” to start 2026.

Delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, disruption on the roads and power cuts are all expected as a result of the wintry conditions.

Yellow warnings for snow and ice came into force for large parts of England, Northern Ireland and Wales at midnight on Thursday, remaining until midday on Friday in England and Wales.

Earlier, across the region in Derbyshire, the A38 was closed after being impacted by snow and “a number of collisions”.