Forecasters warn of more wintry weather as snow sweeps into North Yorkshire

10:10am Thursday 6th December 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

Stranded motorists on the A169 high up on the North York Moors near Fylingdales Moor. Pictures: Anthony Chappel-Ross Stranded motorists on the A169 high up on the North York Moors near Fylingdales Moor. Pictures: Anthony Chappel-Ross

SCORES of motorists were stranded by heavy snow in North Yorkshire – as weathermen predicted further falls today, even on lower ground for a while.

Police said they received reports of dozens of vehicles being temporarily stranded yesterday afternoon on a section of the A169 Pickering to Whitby road on the North York Moors, between Saltersgate hill and Blue Bank at Sleights.

Press photographer Anthony Chappel-Ross, who went on to the Moors to photograph the snowy scenes for the newspaper, said he saw about a hundred cars stranded at one point, and was himself unable to leave the area for a time.

Traffic was also very slow on the A64 between York and Malton during the evening rush hour.

North Yorkshire County Council said its snowploughs were out clearing about four inches of snow in hilly areas, and were due to go out gritting again last night and from 5am this morning.

Forecasters predicted rain and hill snow would sweep across North Yorkshire today after a frosty, icy start, with the rain preceded by snow at lower levels.

With further frosts and icy roads expected over coming days, City of York Council, North Yorkshire Police and the Environment Agency joined forces to issue a safety message to all residents and road users to exercise caution following the recent flooding.

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They warned that flooding and surface water were still affecting isolated areas in and around York, which would be prone to difficult and icy conditions as temperatures plunged.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “The cold snap may easily turn this into sheets of ice and whether we’re walking or driving we need to be very careful, to be aware of temperatures and to watch our footing and our speed.”

Inspector Vicky Taylor, of North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group, said: “If your route is affected by snow or ice, the first thing you need to consider is whether or not your journey is actually necessary.

“If it isn’t essential and alternative work or personal arrangements can be made, then don’t go – simple as that.

“If you have no choice and have to travel in wintry weather, it is vital to give yourself more time, take extra care and adjust your driving to the conditions.

“This could be lowering your speed, increasing breaking distances and making sure lights are on even during the day.”

Comments(15)

CherPah says...
5:31am Thu 6 Dec 12

neat photos, thank you

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Sawday2 says...
9:32am Thu 6 Dec 12

It's winter. It snows. Why is this news?

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Woody G Mellor says...
10:21am Thu 6 Dec 12

Wintry weather in December! Whats going on?

Alexander should resign over this!

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again says...
11:05am Thu 6 Dec 12

Sawday2 wrote:
It's winter. It snows. Why is this news?
It's traditional. Stop moaning.

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timcore says...
12:34pm Thu 6 Dec 12

"Heavy snowfall"? Grass is still visible, for God's sake. I lived in Norway for 11 years where they have actual heavy snowfall every winter and guess what? They deal with it and the country doesn't grind to a halt. Britain's attitude to wintery conditions and inability to cope with it is an embarrassment. Strap on a pair and get over it.

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Omega Point says...
1:28pm Thu 6 Dec 12

timcore wrote:
"Heavy snowfall"? Grass is still visible, for God's sake. I lived in Norway for 11 years where they have actual heavy snowfall every winter and guess what? They deal with it and the country doesn't grind to a halt. Britain's attitude to wintery conditions and inability to cope with it is an embarrassment. Strap on a pair and get over it.
That will be a pair of snow shoes of course

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Kevin Turvey says...
1:38pm Thu 6 Dec 12

Woody G Mellor says... 10:21am Thu 6 Dec 12
Wintry weather in December! Whats going on?

Alexander should resign over this!’


I totally agree.
James Alexander should resign!

I noticed that the leader of the Ryedale council has resigned as his party does not have confidence in him either!
However maybe he has the brains to realise that he has been used as a patsy, unlike Alexander!

http://www.yorkpress
.co.uk/news/10092500
.Ryedale_council_lea
der_to_quit/

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clm058 says...
1:58pm Thu 6 Dec 12

Its called winter and thats not alot of snow dont see a problem in those pictures a pointless news report, next you will be reporting it dark at 5pm or the sun is amazingly shining at 1pm

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again says...
2:25pm Thu 6 Dec 12

clm058 wrote:
Its called winter and thats not alot of snow dont see a problem in those pictures a pointless news report, next you will be reporting it dark at 5pm or the sun is amazingly shining at 1pm
It could be useful to those who may use such roads. After all your own vehicle might be fine, but if there is one stuck in front of you you are still going nowhere.

The news might make people postpone their journey for better weather. I call that helpful.

News stories are not simply for titillation and amusement incredible though it might seem!

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BusyBea says...
4:56pm Thu 6 Dec 12

What on earth was York Press thinking of when they sent their photographer out onto the moors? A non-essential vehicle clogging up the road and getting in the way and yet another person who might need rescuing by the emergency services. What on earth is the point of the police etc asking drivers not to undertake non-essential journeys? Come on York Press - set an example and don't send your snappers out on the road when conditions are bad.

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readerfromafar says...
5:19pm Thu 6 Dec 12

As a reader from another country, I can't understand why there are so many negative comments on every story in the Press. Why do you read this newspaper if you have only bad things to say? I used to think that Brits were "stiff upper lip" types but now realize you are whiners and complainers. Makes me sad.

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Sawday2 says...
6:28pm Thu 6 Dec 12

I bet the AA will be telling drivers to be careful on icy roads next.

Oh! Too late, they already have.

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Triker55 says...
7:15pm Thu 6 Dec 12

All with Summer Tyres no doubt.
They will never learn. Here in Germany Winter Tyres ("M&S") are compulsory as of 1 Nov until 31 Mar so if you get stuck in snow with Summer Tyres you get fined! Serves them all right!!
What happens when there is REAL snow falling?

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ColdAsChristmas says...
9:58pm Thu 6 Dec 12

No this is news because at this very moment there is an international conference going on in secret in Doha, allegedly to combat global warming!
In 2000 Dr David Viner of the CRU told us that 'in a few years time children just won't know what snow is' in the UK.
12 years must be more than a few according to Viner.
It is news because this kind of weather or climate if you prefer exposes the scam.

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Magicman! says...
1:51am Fri 7 Dec 12

Perhaps the headline should have been "ill-prepared motorists block A169". Those roads are passable with care - if you're going too fast or have too much clutter in your car then you might get stuck.

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