Formby temperatures set to hit minus seven degrees tonight.....

Freezing weather conditions have caused mayhem for travellers across Merseyside.

And the region was warned to brace itself for more to come, with overnight temperatures set to plunge as low as -7 degrees C.

Merseyrail’s services ground to a halt due to the cold snap, with services on the Northern and Wirral lines still subject to “severe delays and cancellations”.

Services have been affected between Kirkby and Ormskirk, on the Southport and Hunts Cross line and on the Chester and Ellesmere Port line.

The firm says fewer trains are able to run on all lines due to poor weather conditions between Sandhills and Moorfields.

Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, and a spokesman said: "We advise all passengers who are looking to use our Northern Line services to arrange alternative transport until further notice."

Rail replacement bus services have been set up to accommodate passengers.

Merseyrail said: “Our sincere apologies for the disruption across our network. Every measure is in place to rectify problems.

“Due to ice forming on the conductor rails, trains are currently unable to gain power.

“Please be assured that staff are working hard to resolve the issue of ice on the conductor rails. We will keep you updated with more info.”

There is also disruption on Virgin Trains’ services between Warrington Bank Quay and Crewe.

Car crashes were reported outside Copy Lane Police Station in Netherton before 8.45am, and near junction 4 of the M57 at Kirkby at around 10am.

There were delays of 10 minutes due to the motorway crash, which led to the Highways Agency closing one lane.

Another crash happened at junction 11 of the M56 at Daresbury, affecting westbound access to the motorway, at around 8am.

At this time there are no details available as to whether anybody was injured in these incidents.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport has advised passengers to set off early when heading to Speke.

One passenger, Lee Berry, contacted the ECHO to say his Ryanair flight had been badly delayed.

He said: “Stuck on Ryanair plane at JLA for over two and half hours now and no sign of movement! No food provided even though 4 hrs late!”

The firm’s website said the 6.40am flight from Liverpool to the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, due in at 11.30am, was now expected to land at 3.10pm.

It said this was due to the aircraft needing to be de-iced – an issue which had also caused shorter delays for flights heading to Dublin and Knock Ireland West airports.

A Liverpool Airport spokesman said: "Due to adverse weather some flights are experiencing delays. We're working hard to min. disruption & apologise for any inconvenience caused.

"We advise all passengers to check with their airline for travel updates and leave extra journey time to and from the airport."

A yellow warning for ice across Merseyside was issued by the Met Office last night.

Gulls standing on part of the iced-over lake in Sefton Park, Aigburth

Emergency services were called to a multi-car crash on the M57, which left a man and a woman injured, just after 7pm.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said six vehicles were involved in a collision on the motorway southbound between Switch Island and Junction 5 for Kirkby.

The M57 was closed at Switch Island after the accident and eyewitnesses on Twitter blamed poor weather conditions.

A Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said all of the people involved in the crash had got out of their vehicles before firefighters arrived.

A man suffered arm and leg injuries and a woman suffered a shoulder injury in the accident.

Crews left the scene just before 8pm.

The maximum temperature expected today is 4°C, but it may feel colder due to a 15mph north-northwest wind.

The Met Office said: “After a frosty start with the risk of icy patches, it will be another cold day with some sunny spells. However, cloudier conditions accompanied by patchy rain, sleet and snow will move southwards, with snow mainly over the hills.

“Tonight it will be largely dry with clear periods, which will lead to a very cold night. A hard frost is likely to develop and isolated freezing fog patches are also possible. The minimum temperature will be -7°C.

“Tomorrow there will be a frosty start with any freezing fog patches slow to clear. It will remain dry with some sunshine, which may become hazier in the afternoon. The maximum temperature will be 3°C.”

Story Source: Liverpool Echo