NORTH Yorkshire Police dealt with more than 80 instances of road disruption in four hours yesterday due to damage caused by Storm Ali.

Between 12pm and 4pm, police were called about 81 incidents involving highway disruption, such as obstructions caused by fallen trees and signs, or damaged vehicles.

As the windy weather continues, officers are reminding people who come across fallen trees to contact their local council, not the police - unless there is a significant risk to others, or there has been a collision involving injuries.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: "We have been working extremely hard this afternoon, taking calls and ensuring road users across the county stay safe. 

"If you come across a fallen tree or sign, you only need to call the police if there is a significant risk to others, or there has been a collision and someone is injured.

"If that's not the case, please report the obstruction to the local council or Highways England."

Incidents

At 2.15pm yesterday, a roads policing officer on patrol came across a tree down on a road at Newburgh, near Coxwold. The tree needed chainsaws to chop up and remove, and traffic was able to get round the blockage, so details were passed to North Yorkshire County Council.

Separately, on the A64 near Middlethorpe, police checked on a report at 2.20pm that a roofbox had blown off a vehicle. When officers arrived, the roofbox was completely smashed, but safely at the side of the road and not causing an issue for traffic.

At 2.50pm, police attended a report of that a roof had blown off a property at Cayton, near Scarborough, and landed on the A165. Officers remained at the scene managing traffic while the fire and rescue service worked to deal with it. It was removed by 3.35pm.

Also at 2.50pm, in Stepney Road, Scarborough, a large branch was spotted dangling precariously over the road. Officers attended to close the road, ensuring children leaving two nearby schools were not at risk, and allowing firefighters to make the tree safe.

At 3.20pm, a traffic light came loose from the ground and was swinging round by its cable at Byng Road, Catterick Garrison. An officer arrived and was able to secure the light with police tape, so it can be safely repaired later.

Warning

The Met Office has issued 'yellow' weather warnings for wind over the next few days - and also one for rain, across the North-West in particular, throughout today.