Region’s roads hit by early snowfalls

A gritter crashed and overturned in icy conditions at the Guide Inn, Hainworth, near Keighley, demolishing part of a pub car park’s wall.

Morning rush hour traffic was delayed as the road was partially closed for several hours as efforts to recover the stricken vehicle continued. The driver of the gritter was uninjured.

The Calder Valley was lightly covered by snow but more fell on higher ground in northern and Pennine areas of the county, as the nation woke from the coldest night of the year so far, with Scotland seeing the worst of the chill.

A temperature of -8.7C (17F) was recorded at Benson in Oxfordshire, while Braemar in Aberdeenshire, hit -12.9C (9F).

Temperatures were again expected to plunge below zero overnight but outbreaks of rain and hill snow across much of the region were due to move away allowing skies to clear today, with a risk of ice on untreated roads and pavements. Temperatures may reach 6C but it will feel colder.

Meanwhile some flood warnings remained in place. The North Sea coast from Bridlington to Barmston was on flood alert last night, as was one for the River Hull’s upper catchment area including Driffield, Leconfield, North Frodingham and Beeford.

Another alert remained for Upper Derwent and Scarborough areas, including land around 
The Sea Cut at Scalby, Throxenby Beck, Old Malton, and Priorpot Beck in Norton, and local 
roads and low-lying land in 
the lower River Derwent area around Stamford Bridge, Pocklington, Wressle, 
Wilberfoss and Elvington were also at risk.

Cuts ‘delay roll out of flood defences’: Page 7; Full forecast: Back Page.