MOTORISTS have been facing difficult journeys overnight and this morning after heavy snowfalls in higher parts of North Yorkshire.

Police officers responded to a series of snow-related, damage-only crashes during the early hours of today, but no serious collisions have been reported so far.

The incidents between midnight and 9am include:

  • A white Citroen Relay van came off the road on the north-bound carriageway of the A19 near the Ellerbeck turn-off, Northallerton area, at 3.48am. The driver arranged the recovery of his vehicle
  • A grey Peugeot 107 and a blue Vauxhall Corsa came off the A64 at Whitwell-on-the-Hill at around 7.43am. The women driving the cars were uninjured
  • A black Renault Clio crashed through a hedge and ended up in a field on the B6267 at Nosterfield, near Bedale, at around 8.30am. The car slid on ice while turning left to Thornborough. The man driving the car was uninjured and arranged recovery
  • On Hipswell Road, Catterick Garrison, at 8.33am, a silver Vauxhall Astra slid into a white Ford C-MAX causing minor damage but no injuries
  • At 8.42am, a milk cart came off the A684 at Patrick Brompton, Bedale. The driver was uninjured
  • A man escaped injury when his grey VW Passat crashed into bushes on the A169 at Old Malton at 8.58am

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “It has clearly been a difficult time on the roads due to the snowfall overnight.

"Thankfully there have been no serious or minor injury collisions reported during this period, although the dozens of damage-only collisions have kept the emergency and highways teams busy.

“To help keep safe, we urge motorists to drive to the conditions, keep your distance from other road-users and anticipate the longer time it takes to slow down and come to a stop. 

“It is also vital that your vehicle is prepared for the conditions, including removing snow and ice from all windows, roof and body work.

“Remember, it is always best to arrive later than never. If the conditions are severe and your journey is not essential, then it is best to stay indoors until the roads become clear.”

Further winter driving tips are available on the North Yorkshire Police website.
 

Power cuts

Northern Powergrid said it successfully restored power to around 5,000 customers across the region overnight, following heavy snow, strong winds and heavy rain.

Rod Gardner, head of network operations at Northern Powergrid, the company responsible for the power network in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, said: "We’ve been closely monitoring the weather.

"Whilst it was a busier than usual night, we were ready to respond and our network, which delivers power to 3.9 million homes and businesses, has performed well.

"Overnight we restored power to 5,000 customers by a combination of diverting electricity through alternative routes on our network, and carrying out any necessary repairs.

"Fault numbers have now largely returned to business as usual levels, however, we are continuing to closely monitor the weather and remain ready to respond."

Meanwhile, Twitter users have been uploading their snow pictures:

Dalby Forest have also tweeted to say the forest drive road is closed beyond Go Ape.

The Met Office is warning about ice on the roads, with a yellow warning for snow and ice in place until 11am this morning.