Snowfall prompts weather warning

Drivers are being warned of hazardous road conditions

A severe weather warning remains in place for Yorkshire and the Humber after heavy snowfall caused disruption across the region.

Conditions on main roads have improved but motorists are still being urged to take care, especially on minor routes.

Police said there were 52 weather-related crashes in North Yorkshire. No one is thought to have been hurt.

About 6,000 homes in the Yorkshire and Humber region were without power and more than 200 schools closed.

About 1,600 homes in Scarborough and the North York Moors were left without power due to four high-voltage faults.

Roads 'treacherous'

Electricity company NEDL said work to resolve the problems was being hampered by the weather.

Meanwhile CE Electric UK said it was working to restore power to nearly 4,500 homes in Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire.

David Gill, head of customer services, said: "Despite our monumental efforts, if your power isn't restored by 2300 GMT you are unlikely to have it back before the morning."

The Highways Agency said all main routes would be treated throughout the night to ensure they were kept open.

But North Yorkshire Police said: "With freezing temperatures forecast this evening and tomorrow morning, untreated minor roads will become treacherous."

Planes leaving Leeds Bradford Airport have been delayed by up to 12 hours and passengers have been advised to check the airport's website for the latest updates.

West Yorkshire's transport body Metro said there was widespread disruption to buses, with services restricted to the main roads.

In the South Yorkshire area, some 12 schools are reported to be closed.

The heavy snowfall also closed the Woodhead and Snake Pass Trans-Pennine routes.

Commuters from North Yorkshire to Leeds were also warned of problems on Thursday morning.

The A61 was closed at Harewood after an accident involving a bus and a gritting lorry and the A66 Trans-Pennine route is also closed both ways.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version