Live updates of traffic delays and accidents on the A55, M56, A494 and A5 as the summer holidays begin

There has been an accident on part of the A470 between Mallwyd and Gwynedd in the last half hour.

There is heavy traffic in both directions near the river bridge.

We are told that traffic jams due to an accident on the A55 westbound before J33A Brookside (Northop Hall East) at 2 p.m. this afternoon extend to the Shotwick / Birkenhead exit, according to traffic website Inrix.

An initial report suggested that it was all due to a blackout.

We will bring you more details about the incident as soon as we have them.

Traffic Wales has posted a message on X regarding the accident on the A55 between Mold and Northop Hall. It says there remains “heavy congestion” in the area.

The original post on X about this collision, on the westbound carriageway between junction 33B and junction 33A, was posted approximately two and a half hours ago at 1:48pm.

There are also queues on the A494 westbound between the A548/A550 (Drome Corner) and the A550 Gladstone Way (Queensferry). Travel time through this area is 40 minutes, according to the Inrix traffic website.

This view taken by a Traffic Wales camera on the A55 at Dobshill, near junction 35, shows a queue of traffic heading east.

There are long delays and one lane is blocked due to a broken down vehicle on the A55 westbound before J33A Brookside (Northop Hall East) this afternoon.

The congestion extends to the Queensferry /Sandycroft turn out). Traffic is also congested on the opposite side due to spectators.

Road cameras have captured the long queues heading towards North Wales. This is the A550 at Deeside, which joins the A494.

AA route maps indicate westbound delays of between a few minutes and five minutes due to traffic, heading towards North Wales in the Helsby and Chester Road (Preston Brook) areas.

Traffic Wales has issued this update and advice for motorists

There are major queues on the A494 and A55 motorways in Flintshire, with one driver who recently drove past describing it as “carnage” with traffic jams “as far as the eye can see”.

Major delays are being reported on the road network as people look to get away on holiday ahead of the summer holidays. Here’s a look at the major roads affected, according to traffic service Inrix:

• A55 Flintshire: One lane blocked and traffic backed up due to a broken down vehicle on the A55 North Wales Expressway westbound before J33A Brookside (Northop Hall East). Congestion at the Queensferry/Sandycroft exit.
• A55 Flintshire: One lane blocked due to a broken down vehicle on the A55 North Wales Expressway westbound between junction 32 A5026 (Holywell) and junction 31 A5151 (Caerwys). Traffic is flowing smoothly.
• A483 Chirk: Traffic is slow on the A483 Wrexham Bypass southbound at the A5 (Halton roundabout). Journey time 15 minutes.
• A494 Queensferry: Congestion on the A494 westbound between the A548/A550 (Drome Corner) and the A550 Gladstone Way (Queensferry). Journey time 20 minutes.
• A5 Chirk: Traffic congestion on the A5 Chirk bypass northbound at the A483 (Halton roundabout). Journey time ten minutes.
• A525 Vale Road, Rhyl: Slow traffic on A525 Vale Road near the station.

Traffic Wales is advising motorists of a crash on the A55 at Northop Hall.

Good morning. I’ll give you a live traffic update. Steve Bagnall.