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Leeds news LIVE: Traffic building on M62 westbound as two lanes closed after multi-vehicle crash between Lofthouse and Tingley

Welcome to the Yorkshire Evening Post's live blog on Thursday, May 27.
M62 motorway stock image (photo: Google)M62 motorway stock image (photo: Google)
M62 motorway stock image (photo: Google)

Highways England has said two out of four lanes are closed on the M62 westbound between J29 at Lofthouse and J28 at Tingley.

Traffic officers and West Yorkshire Police are responding to a multi-vehicle crash.

According to Highways England, congestion is building.

West Yorkshire Police has been approached for more information.

Scroll down for more updates and latest Leeds news:

Leeds news LIVE: Man dies after collision near St James’ Hospital

‘DO NOT travel’ warns LNER as major delays hit Leeds to London line

Breaking: All lines are blocked and passengers have been left stranded

Here are some of the stories leading our website this evening:

Drivers warned over ‘sudden surge’ in traffic this bank holiday weekend

Drivers are being warned of a “sudden surge” in traffic on the roads over the bank holiday weekend as temperatures hot up.

Some 10.8 million leisure car journeys are expected to take place over the long weekend, according to research from the RAC, which could clog up major routes.

Traffic is expected to peak on Saturday and Monday, but the weather could play a part in just how busy the roads get.

Forecasters are predicting temperatures of 20C (68F) across parts of the UK on Saturday, while by Monday the mercury could hit 25C (77F) in west London, 21C (70F) in Leeds and 22C (72F) in Newcastle.

Ben Aldous, from the RAC, said: “Our research points to Saturday and Monday being the busiest days, but in reality there’s a good chance the weather will have the final say as to how busy the roads get.

“A return to more typical late May temperatures and an end to the recent wind and rain could spark a sudden surge in journeys and mean some routes – especially those to the coasts and hills – start to clog up.”

Data from a survey of 1,100 UK drivers’ travel plans, conducted by the RAC between May 17 and 24, suggests there are approximately 7.2 million firm trips planned for over the bank holiday, and an additional 3.6 million due to be taken depending on the weather forecast.

Police release image as investigation continues into incident on train to Leeds

Police are investigating after a man touched himself inappropriately while staring at a woman on a train in Leeds.

It happened on a service from London King’s Cross station to Leeds on the evening of Friday, May 7.

This is the man that British Transport Police say they now want to identify.

Woman taken to hospital after incident in Richmond Hill

A woman has been taken to hospital after an incident in the Richmond Hill area of Leeds.

Police were called to Upper Accommodation Road at about 10.03am on Friday, May 28.

Officers attended and a woman was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the incident.

Police issue appeals amid concerns in two missing persons investigations

West Yorkshire Police have issued appeals in relation to two separate missing persons investigations.

They say the disappearance Zhai Ming Zhang is out of character. The 47-year-old was last seen leaving his home address yesterday evening between 7pm and 8pm in the Armley area of Leeds.

Here’s the image released that was released as part of their appeal for information.

And officers are also searching for a 15-year-old boy last seen on Elland Road at around 4.30pm yesterday.

Here’s the image released of Kaiden Hinds, who is believed to be wearing a grey Nike hoodie, black Berghaus coat, dark baseball cap, black Puma tracksuit bottoms and black Nike trainers.

A man has died after a collision in Beckett Street, near St James’ Hospital, overnight

Lib Dems select Batley and Spen candiate

George Galloway to stand in Batley and Spen by-election

Former MP and veteran campaigner George Galloway has announced he is running in the forthcoming Batley and Spen by-election with the explicit aim of ousting Sir Keir Starmer as leader of the Labour Party.

Mr Galloway, who was expelled from Labour in 2003, said he is standing as a candidate for his Workers Party of Britain in the poll on July 1.

In a video posted on his social media feeds, filmed at Batley bus station, he said: “I’m standing against Keir Starmer.

“If Keir Starmer loses this by-election, it’s curtains for Keir Starmer.”

Closure ‘may cause disruption patients’

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