Drivers were trapped in their cars for nine hours overnight on the M11 after two lorries jack-knifed in the blizard conditions yesterday.
One motorist caught up in the mayhem was Danny Blacklock of West Mersea.
Careful - Drivers negotiate the icy conditions along Cowdray Avenue, Colchester
He spent the night in his car south of Duxford after the road was closed between junction 8 northbound and junction 9 southbound.
Danny, who runs acoustic company DB Attenuations, was returning from a job in Manchester at about 6pm yesterday when he was caught up in the tailbacks.
Speaking from his mobile phone this morning, he said: "We've heard Essex Police are waiting for snow ploughs and that the wait could be another six hours."
Colchester roads were treacherous despite gritter teams from Colchester Council beginning their work last night at about 6pm.
Teams from May Gurney were out again salting major roads at about 4am today and during the morning were out clearing town centre footways and salting secondary roads.
Approaches from Maldon, Tendring and Braintree were amost at a standstill.
The A12 was blocked by a seven-car pile-up at Witham and the A120 was passable only with great care between Braintree and Marks Hall.
Published Friday, January 31, 2003
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