LATEST: Major incident declared as Cumbria continues to battle …

Picture: Carlos Burton

Highways teams trying to clear roads in Cumbria have been verbally abused by frustrated and stuck drivers today.

In an update released by Cumbria police, the force said workers and others trying to support people affected by the snow had been subject to abuse.

Superintendent Andy Wilkinson, of Cumbria Constabulary, said: “We are aware of a number of incidents in which highway teams and those assisting in the efforts to support those affected by the snow have been verbally abused.

“We understand people’s frustration during this time; however, agencies are working hard to improve the situation in Cumbria and are also facing the challenging road conditions when responding.”

The major incident designation remains in place and work is continuing to minimise the challenges heavy snowfall has had on the county’s road network.

Agencies are continuing in their efforts to assist those affected by the snow with the highways teams from Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council continuing to clear priority routes so those impacted can be supported.

It is understood that snow will continue to fall until at least 1am.

Police are continuing to urge people not to travel unless it is necessary, particularly those considering travelling in the South Lakes and Millom areas, due to the challenging road conditions.

Motorists are reminded that highways crews have to clear the snow from the road first before gritters can follow to put salt down, so even if a snowplough has been along a road it can still be treacherous until it has been treated.

Supt Wilkinson added: “The snow today ended up being much more significant than forecast and the amber warning that was put in place this afternoon is in place until midnight and, with a yellow warning from snow and ice tomorrow, we expect to continue to see challenging road conditions whilst these warning are in place. Therefore, we continue to ask people to not travel and to only do so if absolutely necessary.”

Drivers have been asked to avoid the A595 between Millom and Broughton-in-Furness while gritters try to clear the road.

The A595 between Gosforth and Calderbridge was unpassable in both directions for most of this morning, with drivers getting stuck and a local farmer even arrived in a tractor loaded with grit to help get drivers moving.

South Lakes Police said it had had several calls regarding blocked roads and collisions across the area due to the continued snow fall, plus vehicles abandoned on some roads.

It added: “We have also seen calls coming for mountain rescue assistance.

“The conditions on the fells are extremely hazardous and we urge you to postpone any walks or climbing until conditions improve.”

Emergency refuge centres

Emergency refuge centres have been set up in towns and villages across the worst hit areas.

People are asked not to try and sleep in their vehicles if they are stranded.

The refuge centres are at:

Ambleside Parish Centre, Vicarage Road.
Langstone House, Broad Street, Windermere.
Grizebeck Community Hall.
Coniston Sports and Social Centre.
Near and Far Sawry, Braithwaite Hall.
Lake District Boat Club, Glebe Road, Bowness.
Sun Inn, Troutbeck.
Staveley Village Hall.
Esthwaite Primary School, Main Street, Hawkshead.

Around 100 people are staying in Esthwaite School’s sports hall overnight after becoming stranded. The local chippy has provided them with meals.

Ambleside. Picture: Joanne Little
Picture: Laura Caney
Picture: Michelle Blenkharn
Staveley Jean Hampton
Picture: Great Langdale Camping
Troutbeck Amy Holland
Millom Emma Jane Hall
Keith Campbell
Judith Rylands Crook Road
Ambleside
Hawkshead. Picture: Pat Taylor

Latest road information

Picture: Vince Brand

A591 Windermere Road (Plumgarth Roundabout, Kendal) to Wythburn – Severe delays and road is impassable due to snow.
A592 between Newby Bridge and Windermere both ways just passable due to snow.
A593 between Skelwith Bridge and Ambleside – both ways just passable due to snow.
A590 Greenodd to Newby Bridge – both ways just passable long delays, queueing traffic due to snow from.
A595 Kirkby-in-Furness and Grizebeck – just passable and queuing traffic due to snow.
A6 from Kirkby’s Stephen Hill turn off (Shap) to Garth Row (Garth Row) both ways just passable, queueing traffic due to snow.
A685 Kirkby Stephen – road impassable.
Harras Road in Whitehaven – queuing traffic between York Terrace and Red Lonning.
B5286 between Clappersgate and Hawkshead – queuing traffic and just passable.
Woodhouse Road in Whitehaven – queuing traffic between the B5345 St Bees Road and Fell View Avenue.
A5092 between Whichamand Greenodd – Queueing traffic and road impassable due to snow both ways.
M6 southbound between J38 (Tebay) and 37 (Kendal) – traffic is now moving following an incident of jack-knifed lorries.
Kirkstone Pass is closed on both sides to traffic.

A Cumbria Crack reader tells us that the Melbreak roundabout, on the A66 from Workington to Cockermouth, has black ice on the approach from Workington.

Power cuts

Hundreds of people are without power.

Areas affected are:

Staveley – 349 properties
Egton with Newland, South Lakeland 254 properties
Askam and Ireleth, 814 properties
Colton, South Lakeland, 150 properties
Kendal, 46 properties
Lowick, South Lakeland 59 properties
Ormside, Eden, 35 properties
Broughton West, South Lakeland 4 properties
Windermere 146 properties

Electricity North West’s estimated time of restoration ranges from to around 1.45am until 10.30pm on Sunday.

Weather warning upgraded

The Met Office has extended the time and upgraded its weather warning for ice and snow it issued yesterday.

Initially the warning was due to last until 11am today, but the warning now remains in effect until midnight.

It said: “Snow showers continue to move in from the Irish Sea across the area, with these heavy at times, with the odd rumble of thunder. A further two to five centimetres, locally 10cm to 15cm of snow is possible before showers begin to ease overnight.”

What to expect if you live in the amber weather warning area

Travel delays on roads are likely, stranding some vehicles and passengers
Power cuts are likely and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected
There is a good chance that some rural communities could become cut off
Some delays and cancellations to rail and air travel are likely

Gritting

The latest gritting map has been released. It shows the roads scheduled to be gritted today and overnight. Here it is:

Scheduled gritting routes on Saturday, December 2

Cumberland Council said: “It is a bitterly cold day again today and as well as snow flurries, some places have seen rainfall too, which has washed away our salt and turned into black ice.

“Our full fleet of gritters are out treating roads across our priority road network throughout the day and overnight to keep you safe when you’re out and about but please take extra care when driving on untreated roads and plan your journey ahead.

Roads treated by gritters on Friday, December 1

“We’d also like to remind drivers that despite it looking fairly sunny, temperatures remain not much above freezing so stay alert and if it’s not safe to travel, then make the right choice.”

Events and venues

Carlisle. Picture: Cumbrian Coastal Kitchen

Carlisle Castle is closed to visitors due to the weather.

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway – the La’al Ratty – has cancelled today’s Santa’s Specials.

The Quirky Eclectica market in the grounds of Carlisle Cathedral is still open.

Penrith. Picture: Ben France
Gosforth. Picture: Caroline Tyler
Wath Brow. Picture: Elwyn Evans
Gosforth. Picture: Caroline Tyler
Gosforth
Carlisle. Picture: Lucy Jane Cottier
Kirkby in Furness. Picture: Martin Holland
Silloth. Picture: Allison Aspinall
Roads in Millom. Picture: Joan Rowes
A595 at Gosforth

Sport

Football

One by one they have disappeared off today’s fixture list.

Games involving Cumbrian clubs have been postponed because of frozen grounds.

Carlisle United, of course, had no scheduled fixture so the big freeze hasn’t really affected them and manager Paul Simpson might have mixed views after Tuesday’s thrashing at Reading.

Is it better to take time out, give injured players a chance and re-set, or is it better to get right back out there with the aim of putting things right.

Mid-morning only one Cumbrian club looked to have a chance of playing. Whitehaven are due at Fulwood Amateurs and they were the only Premier Division game which hadn’t been postponed.

As expected the FA Vase tie between Carlisle City and Charnock Richard was one of the first to go with Gillford Park described as rock hard.

Not far behind was Penrith’s trip to Boro Rangers as the Northern League Division One suffered a complete wipe-out.

Kendal Town were preparing for a big match at leaders Wythenshawe but that was also one to go.

In the NPL Premier Division Workington Reds were desperate to play their game with Hyde United after being without a home fixture since October 21 but that was called off after a pitch inspection.

Rugby Union

Only one game in Cumbria is still on as the county’s rugby union clubs are hit by the freeze.

It’s a second team game at Mint Bridge where Kendal 2nds entertain Fulwood.

So union enthusiasts can get their fix this afternoon with the game being played on the artificial surface.

There’s a big Ladies game planned for tomorrow at the Ellis when Workington Finches take on Keswick Ladies in a top of the table battle.

Whether it goes ahead will be decided after a morning pitch inspection.

What are the roads like in your area? Let us know – and please send your photos and videos – to [email protected]^[1]

References

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