Traffic ground to a halt on the southbound lanes of the Regional Road in Kappara yesterday morning because of a spill of slippery liquid. Rush-hour traffic was diverted towards St Julian’s and Sliema, causing gridlock. Five minor collisions were caused before the road was closed. Civil Protection units were deployed to make the road safe and lanes started to be reopened at 8.45am. The source of the slick is not known.