Yorkshire becomes a winter wonderland

SLEDGERS, dog walkers and cyclists braved the chill as the region saw its first significant snowfall of winter yesterday.

And conditions are expected to worsen as forecasters predict temperatures will plummet to -8C tomorrow night with more snow yet to come.

But the weather wasn’t enough to stop runners in Roundhay Park, Leeds, from their daily jog (pictured top).

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Craig Felton, 31, of Leeds, also took his sledge to the popular park for some sledging (above) whilst Sheffield’s Graves Park was transformed into a winter wonderland (above right).

Sub-zero temperatures being felt around much of the country, combined with the increased cost of heating, mean there are concerns the number of deaths this winter could top the 24,000 seen last year, according to the Local Government Association. 
It is urging people to look out 
for their elderly neighbours, friends and family members 
who might be particularly vulnerable.

Today, London is expected to enjoy a slightly milder 3C whilst Cornwall will be the warmest place in the country, with temperatures reaching around 8C.

Severe weather warnings remain in place for the North, however, and Met Office forecasters have warned 15cm could fall on high ground.

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While local authorities are ensuring gritters are taking care of main routes, offenders on Community Payback Orders have been put on stand-by to clear footpaths and public areas.

As part of their court orders, those taking part in the West Yorkshire Probation Trust’s Community Payback teams will clear snow and ice, supporting communities to clear snowfall from streets, grit roads, salt footpaths and prevent public areas becoming no-go zones.

Despite efforts to keep roads clear, motorists have been warned by the Highways Agency to take extra care in freezing temperatures, while the RAC said it has extra patrols on the road as it anticipates up to 56,000 breakdowns and widespread disruption.

The company attended around 9,000 breakdowns yesterday – including 23 cars stuck in snow, mainly in Scotland, Oxfordshire and the East Midlands. A spokesman said breakdowns were coming in at more than 1,100 every hour. Steve Crosthwaite, head of the National Traffic Operations Centre, said: “We’re using salt to treat the road network and have ploughs and snow blowers on standby if necessary. Our traffic officers are working around the clock to monitor our road network, deal with any incidents and keep traffic moving.

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“During severe winter weather we ask drivers to check road conditions and the weather forecast before setting out. If conditions are poor, and journeys are not essential, we advise drivers to think about delaying until conditions improve.”