LIVE: Snow and ice in Harrogate and the Dales

The Met Office has a yellow weather warning in place until 9pm tonight

Last week, Harrogate and the Dales were covered in snow
Author: May NormanPublished 14th Jan 2021
Last updated 14th Jan 2021

Harrogate and the Dales have been hit with MORE snow and ice today. (Thursday, 14 January)

A number of schools have been forced to close and some bus routes have been affected.

North Yorkshire Police are urging people to not travel unless your journey is essential, after responding to over 50 collisions on the roads.

Jamie Lord, Traffic Officer for North Yorkshire Police, has been out on the roads all day.

He said: "So far we're in excess of 50 reports of crashes today and that's only going to go up as we speak.

"The conditions are changing so quickly and as the night falls it's going to bring a new set of challenges.

"What we've not seen is the reduction in traffic considering us being in a lockdown. There's still quite a number of vehicles on the road and that increases the chances of them being in a collision.

"Every time we go out and rescue someone or if people need medical attention, it puts a drain on our resources but it also could potentially spread the virus.

"The message is really simple, people need to stay home."

A yellow weather warning is in place across the region until 9pm tonight.

6.28pm: Yorkshire Ambulance Service are asking people in Harrogate and the Dales to only call them in a serious or life-threatening emergency

It's after poor driving conditions and blocked roads caused by the heavy snow.

4.32pm: North Yorkshire County Council urge people not to travel overnight

The County Council are asking residents to not travel between now and the weekend due to the poor conditions and forecast.

Only those with essential journeys should travel.

4.15pm: Rail ravel between Skipton and Leeds

Train services between Skipton and Leeds are disrupted from earlier damage to the overhead wires.

Train services are running through these stations but some may be delayed or cancelled.

It's expected until 6.30pm.

3.30pm: Some bus routes up and running again

The 36 by the Harrogate Bus Company is now back to running through to Leeds from Harrogate as normal, as well as between Harrogate and Ripon.

The number 7 is now running again in Harrogate

2.02pm: Bus staff clearing the way for passengers

The Harrogate Bus Company are working to get their routes operating again.

Staff have been clearing the paths around the bus station to make it easier for customers to access.

12.09pm: North Yorkshire Police deal with 20 crashes

North Yorkshire Police are asking whether journeys are essential after dealing with 20 crashes across the county.

Heavy snow has made some routes impassable, especially on higher ground.

Sutton Bank has now reopened and can be used with care for those making essential journeys

North Yorkshire Police Roads Policing Group and other teams are on patrol keeping our roads safe and helping motorists.

12.06pm: There'll be no holes-in-one at Pannal today

Pannal Golf Club is covered in a blanket of snow

11.45am: Skipton Library to close

Skipton Library is closing at midday as a result of the snow

11.21am: Road clear at A59 Skibden tip

The road is now clear of traffic at #A59 Skibden tip.

More than 30 vehicles were stuck in the snow but gritters are now on the scene.

The #A59 at #BoltonAbbey remains closed due to the weather.

10.21am: The Harrogate Bus Company are struggling to get to any stops in and around Knaresborough

10.13am: Bin collections affected in Craven

Craven District Council have said they will try their best to continue with waste collections.

They won't attempt to serve streets where the snow is too dangerous to manoeuvre and will return as soon as it is safe.

9.35am: More bus routes affected

The number three Harrogate to Jennyfield is running as normal but the 2A between Harrogate and Bilton/Dene Park isn't able to reach all stops.

9.25am: A59 at Bolton Abbey closed

The A59 at Bolton Abbey is currently closed as several vehicles are stuck near Kex Gill.

The A59 near Skipton is also blocked near Skibden landfill site.

A number of vehicles and HGVs are stuck in the snow and ice.

9.05am: Recycling centres closed

Household Waste Recycling Centres in Catterick Bridge, Harrogate, Leyburn, Ripon and West Harrogate are not open because of the snow.

9.06am: Buses across Harrogate have been affected

The Harrogate Bus Company have reported a number of their buses are unable to run.

The 36 buses between Harrogate and Pannal, and Leeds and Alwoodley are running, but they're able to run through Harewood.

The 24 buses on Harrogate to Pateley Bridge and the number 6 buses between Harrogate and Pannal Ash aren't able to run.

All their other buses are running as normal.

9.00am: Updated school closures

Here's the full list of school closures for Harrogate and the Dales

8.30am: North Yorkshire County Council ask people to only travel if they have to

North Yorkshire County Council - those responsible for our roads - have reassured us that it is gritting priority roads - but has advised motorists to take extra care if travelling.

School closures

The following schools are currently closed (Thursday, 14 January):

  • All Saints CE School, Kirkby Overblow
  • Bedale High School
  • Bilton Grange Primary
  • Coppice Valley CP School
  • Dacre Braithwaite CE Primary School
  • Fountains CE Primary School
  • Grewelthorpe CE Primary School
  • Hampsthwaite CE Primary School
  • Nidderdale High School & Community College
  • North Rigton CE (C) Primary School
  • Oatlands Junior School
  • Oatlands Infant School
  • Pannal Primary
  • Richard Taylor CE Primary School, Harrogate
  • Roecliffe Church of England School
  • Rossett Acre Primary School
  • Saltergate Junior School
  • Saltergate Infant School
  • Western Primary School, Harrogate

For more details on school closures, please click here.

What to expect:

Possible travel delays on roads stranding some vehicles and passengers, especially across higher routes, with potential for road closures.

Possible delays or cancellations to rail and air travel

Power cuts may occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected

Untreated pavements and cycle paths might be dangerous or even impassable, posing a greater risk of injuries and accidents.

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