Authorities in eastern France slowly cleared the A40 highway at Bellegarde-sur-Valserine near Switzerland on Wednesday morning, after heavy snowfall and ice left more than 2,000 vehicles stranded for several hours overnight.

The officials in the French department of Ain had warned the public Tuesday to limit travel due to a snow emergency. 

However, by Tuesday evening, snowplows were blocked by trucks that accessed the mountainous stretch of the A40 without proper equipment, quickly backing up traffic, broadcaster Franceinfo reported. Emergency services were then deployed to help clear the road.

The mayor of Bellegard-sur-Valserine set up emergency accommodation at the town hall, where around thirty people sheltered overnight, regional newspaper Le Dauphine Libere reported. The Red Cross also deployed rescuers to help people stuck in their cars.

Local authorities said traffic began to move shortly before 3 a.m. on Wednesday.

The French weather service on Wednesday morning reported 10 centimeters (4 inches) of snow at Bellegarde, and 30 to 40 centimeters (10-15 inches) in the valleys at Chamonix near the Mont Blanc tunnel. More heavy snow is forecast for Wednesday into Thursday, and authorities are urging caution. 

wmr/dj (dpa, AFP)