Significant efforts continue to manage the impacts of some areas of very heavy snowfall in North Yorkshire.
There has been a heavy covering of snow overnight, particularly on some of the higher ground where an amber warning saw between 15 and 25 centimetres forecast, especially in the North York Moors and Scarborough areas. Where this has continuously fallen or been very focussed it has created some treacherous conditions, making some roads very difficult to navigate.
Our gritting teams have been out in force throughout last night (Wednesday, 19 November), joined by dozens of the council’s farming contractors, and they are continuing to monitor and treat routes impacted.
All priority roads have been treated and will be gritted again this evening (Thursday, 20 November), while staff have been working alongside volunteers to try and keep roads and footpaths open. There’s also a warning that as the snow melts, with slightly higher temperatures forecast, ice may form and so road users should take extra care.
Executive member for highways and transportation, Cllr Malcolm Taylor, said: “I am grateful to our gritting teams and, farming contractors and the volunteers who have responded in some really tough conditions in places.
“We continue to treat our priority routes with our fleet of around 100 ploughs available to tackle the wintry weather.
“The advice I would give to anyone travelling is to plan your journey ahead with caution, please make sure you’re prepared and that your vehicle is winter ready. Keep yourself and your family safe in these wintery conditions.
“I would like to assure the public that we are using every resource available to us to treat our network and will continue to do so for as long as is necessary.”
There are a number of very local interruptions to services like waste and recycling collections in certain areas, school closures, libraries and the council’s registrars’ service.
Household waste and recycling collections may be delayed this week due to snow and bad weather. Householders are asked to continue to leave their bins out and crews will collect them as soon as possible.
See more details about the disruption to services or follow our Facebook page.
Meanwhile, the first two drone displays which were due to take place as part of the Scarborough Lights festival yesterday and this evening have had to be cancelled due to the poor weather conditions. Ticket holders have been contacted directly to offer them alternative shows, with the drone displays due to run each evening until Sunday.
Scarborough Fair organisers are hopeful that tomorrow’s display will go ahead, although a decision will be taken tomorrow lunchtime.
See more information about the drone display.
Cllr Taylor added: “We continue to ask people to take care when out and about and thank the public for their understanding.”