Travel update: Gridlocked roads and frozen trains add to travel woes

School closures

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Commuters from Ilkley faced a double whammy as Northern Rail suspended all trains after one broke down with its braking system frozen. Those taking to their cars found temporary lights at Menston causing tailbacks of several miles.

One driver said: "The lights had been put there yesterday for no apparent reason. It simply beggars belief that this can have been allowed this in the present weather.

"It took me an hour to travel the mile and a half from Burley-in-Wharfedale to Menston this morning."

Bradford Council said a burst water main on a side road was responsible. A spokesman said: "We instructed Yorkshire Water's contractor Streetwise to attend immediately last night to adjust the temporary lights and were assured they would. We have demanded an explanation today as to why this did not happen."

Yorkshire Water blamed a "technical problem" with the lights. A spokesman said "Unfortunately this morning we had a technical problem with the traffic lights and can only apologise to customers whose journeys were further delayed. The road has now been fully repaired and the traffic lights removed."

Elsewhere, drivers are being warned by police to only travel today if "absolutely essential" after further heavy snowfall and as ice takes hold in freezing conditions.

Kent Police are advising of "very poor visibility" and "hazardous" driving conditions across the county including the M25 and M20.

In Hampshire, police said that although there was no snowfall overnight, freezing conditions are making the roads unsafe.

This morning, Kent Police said that the M25, M26 and M2 are passable with care, but Operation Stack, the force's plan for major congestion on the M20, is in place, with traffic being diverted off the motorway at junction 11 on to the A20.

Only Eurotunnel freight traffic is being queued between junctions 11 and 12. All other freight will be diverted as other traffic.

Chief Inspector Andy Reeves said: "As we go into a new day our message has to remain the same - driving conditions across the county are still extremely dangerous and you should only make journeys which are absolutely essential.

"Kent Police are working with partner agencies to keep traffic on the road network moving. Continuing snow and freezing conditions are making this difficult.

"Motorists should be prepared, please consider your safety and decide if your journey is really necessary.

"If you do travel, make sure you have the right provisions for emergencies. If you are already at work, you should give serious consideration to getting home before conditions worsen.

"We urge everyone to continue listening to local broadcasts and check news websites before setting out on their journey.

"If you have elderly or vulnerable neighbours or relatives, please remember to check on them to ensure they are safe and well.

"Pedestrians are reminded to take great care, as icy conditions continue to make footpaths dangerous."

In Hampshire, police said there were no weather-related incidents on the roads overnight.

A spokeswoman said: "Although no more snow fell across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight overnight, freezing temperatures mean that roads and pavements will be extremely icy for people wanting to get to work or schools this morning.

"There are icy conditions all over the two counties and police are repeating advice not to travel if your journey is not essential."

Yorkshire forecast

Mostly dry today with sunny periods, although very cold with temperatures staying below freezing and so widespread ice persisting on untreated surfaces. Any early coastal showers will soon move away, but later this afternoon light snow will arrive from the west.

Tonight, snow, mainly light, will spread east this evening, producing further slight accumulations, before clearing later in the night and leaving widespread ice on untreated surfaces.

Saturday will be dry with sunny spells during the morning, after an icy start. In the afternoon cloud will increase, with outbreaks of rain and sleet arriving, with snow over high ground.

Sunday will be dry, sunny and less cold, after starting with widespread ice on untreated surfaces. Then turning colder again from Monday, with overnight frosts and scattered wintry showers.

Roads

A57 Snake Pass closed in both directions between the Hurst Road junction in Glossop and the A6013 junction in Ladybower Reservoir, because of ice and snow.

A628 Woodhead Pass re-opened between Flouch roundabout in Langsett and the A57 Woolley Lane junction in Mottram in Longdendale, because of snow earlier.

A169 closed between the A170 Hungate junction in Pickering and the A171 Guisborough Road junction in Whitby, because of snow.

A1 North Yorkshire - One lane closed on A1 northbound from Leeming Bar to the A6136 Leeming Lane junction in Catterick, because of a jackknifed lorry.

Temporary traffic lights on the A65 Ilkley-Leeds road at Menston are causing major delays.

Trains

East Coast will continue to operate the revised timetable for the rest of the week, with services operating hourly between Leeds and London only. Skipton, Keighley, Bradford Forster Square, Shipley, Harrogate and Horsforth will not see any East Coast service.

Southbound departures will generally be at 40 minutes past from Leeds and 52 minutes past from Wakefield Westgate. From Wakefield Westgate to Leeds departures will generally be at 16 minutes past, arriving Leeds at 38 minutes past.

First TransPennine Express services are subject to delays.

There are delays and cancellations on the Ilkley-Leeds line.

Northern Rail does not expect to be operating trains on the following routes today:

Huddersfield - Wakefield

Leeds – Manchester Victoria (via Dewsbury and Brighouse) but services will be running via Bradford

Halifax – Brighouse – Huddersfield

York – Sheffield (via Pontefract)

Wakefield – Pontefract

Leeds – Castleford – Wakefield Kirkgate (services will be operating between Leeds and Wakefield Kirkgate but are unable to call at Castleford)

Leeds – Castleford - Pontefract

Northern hopes we will be able to resume the following services tomorrow:

Barnsley – Huddersfield

Grand Central services are operating but due to line closures the trains cannot currently serve Halifax, Brighouse, Wakefield Kirkgate or Pontefract.

Cross Country services will operate but will be subject to delay.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has warned train companies to keep stranded passengers better informed but said transport problems were inevitable as a blanket of snow and ice covers Britain.

Mr Hammond said he had heard "far too many stories" about people being unable to obtain information about train services.

The minister's comments came as Britain endured another night of wintry weather with temperatures falling to -20C, but the easing of snow showers meant Gatwick Airport reopened this morning.

However, major delays and cancellations were expected to still cause commuter chaos.