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Jan 2021

Last Updated: 08/01/2021

Community

How Harrogate's snow day unfolded and caused chaos

by Connor Creaghan

| 08 Jan, 2021

Keep up to date right here. We will keep refreshing this story with all the latest news as it comes in.

Heavy snow across the Harrogate district has caused chaos on the roads and for schools today.

We kept track of school closures, kept an eye on the roads and updated this story as we went along.

The snow started at around 8am this morning and did not stop for a moment until after sunset.

It seems that ice will follow the snow, after a Met Office warning over freezing temperatures from midnight until 11am tomorrow.

5.15pm - Gritters head out onto Harrogate district roads

Gritters will be out overnight and tomorrow morning trying to clear the snow and ice from the Harrogate district's roads.

North Yorkshire County Council said its team has been out on "priority roads" today.

https://twitter.com/northyorkscc/status/1347589473098457093

5.10pm - Harlow Carr to remain closed after snow

RHS Harlow Carr has confirmed that it will remain closed tomorrow due to the heavy snow.

Anyone who has booked tickets for Saturday has been urged to send RHS an email on harlowcarr@rhs.org.uk.

https://twitter.com/RHSHarlowCarr/status/1347589046445473803

5pm - Harrogate district buses start running again

The Harrogate Bus Company has now confirmed that its number 36 buses are now able to run from Leeds, to Harrogate and onto Ripon.

That covers the full route so it is back to normal but the bus company has not yet revealed the return any of its other routes just yet.

https://twitter.com/harrogatebus/status/1347589128075038720

4.45pm - Public toilets closed across Harrogate district

Harrogate Borough Council has closed down the district's public toilets due to the "adverse weather conditions".

When questioned by a resident on Twitter the authority explained that it was because workers are unable to clean them.

4pm - Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal close

The heavy snow has forced Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal to close its doors tomorrow.

It may also have to close on Sunday, but it will make that decision on Saturday depending on how the weather condition progress.

https://twitter.com/fountainsabbey/status/1347578794836684800

2.30pm - Ice to follow snow in district

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for ice from midnight tonight until 11am tomorrow.

North Yorkshire County Council has told people to only travel if essential and urged people to take extra care on icy surfaces.

https://twitter.com/northyorkscc/status/1347547410327859202

2pm - Volunteers brave the snow

Volunteers have braved the snow today to take care of vulnerable people, including a homeless man in Harrogate.

The Resurrected Bites team said its team of helpers have kept up with its deliveries of food to those that need it most.

"I just want to let you know what heroes we have. We have called all of today's customers to see if they can wait until Monday and those that can't have had food delivered on foot.

"One of them has also been out to get food to the homeless man and his dogs on Montpellier Hill. I couldn't ask for a better team. I am so grateful for all of them."

1.45pm - Waste and recycling centres close

North Yorkshire County Council has confirmed that some of its household waster recycling centres have closed.

The local authority said that the Harrogate and West Harrogate centres needed to close because of the snow.

12.30pm - Harrogate hospital praises staff in snow

Harrogate District Hospital has praised the efforts of its staff who are battling the snow to keep it running today,.

"Thank you to Matthew from Estates, James from Car Parking and the rest of the team from our Harrogate Integrated Facilities who are busy battling the elements to keep the hospital site safe.

"Well done and thank you to all colleagues for efforts to get in today. And to patients for making it in too!"

https://twitter.com/HarrogateNHSFT/status/1347516475578441730

11.50am - More school closures across district

Goldsborough and Sicklinghall Primary Schools

Scotton Lingerfield Primary School

Darley & Summerbridge Primary Schools: closing at 12pm

Dacre Braithwaite Primary School

Harrogate Bilton Grange Primary School

Harrogate Western Primary School

Springwater School

Birstwith and at Admiral Long Schools

Harrogate St Joseph's Catholic Primary School

Oatlands Junior School

Willow Tree Primary School

Pannal Primary School

Markington Primary School

St Aidan's CE School

Hampsthwaite CE Primary School

Richard Taylor CE Primary School

North Rigton CE Primary School

All Saints CE Primary School

St. Peter’s CE Primary School

Staveley Community Primary

Rossett Acre Primary School

Bishop Monkton CE Primary School

St John Fisher Catholic High School

If we have missed any school closures off our list then please get in touch through email on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

11.40am - Bus company starts gritting roads

The local bus company has started to grit roads in Harrogate to try and rescue its buses and other vehicles.

Alex Hornby, CEO of Transdev, tweeted today that "we appear to now be The Harrogate Gritting Company."

https://twitter.com/alextransdev/status/1347501589251158017

11.05am - Traffic 'at a standstill'

Roads in all directions around Harrogate are at a standstill because of the heavy snowfall.

Traffic on the A61 north of Harrogate at Killinghall, and south towards Pannal, has ground to a halt. Conditions are also reported to be poor on other roads, including Otley Road and Jenny Field Drive.

North Yorkshire County Council said it was gritting all priority one and two roads in the district overnight, which includes bus routes. However, it is advising people not to travel unless absolutely necessary.

10.40am - RHS Harlow Carr closes gates

RHS Garden Harlow Carr has closed to visitors today because of the weather conditions.

With Otley Road reportedly difficult to navigate, the RHS said anyone who has booked tickets can get in touch for a refund.

10am - Harrogate Bus Company pauses buses

The Harrogate Bus Company has paused all of its buses that are currently out on the road this morning due to the snow.

It said in a tweet this morning that the buses will get running again "once the very heavy snow has cleared".

"So we can keep everyone safe in this weather, we're pausing our buses that are currently out on the road.

"We'll confirm when we're able to get back up and running again, once the very heavy snow has cleared.

"If you need any help, just send us a message here."

10am - Council calls off waste and recycling collections

Harrogate Borough Council has called off its waste and recycling collections this morning due to the snow.

The local authority said it would do its best to catch-up in the coming days but said the safety of its crew is paramount.

https://twitter.com/Harrogatebc/status/1347480481521160192

9:45am - School closures

Schools across the Harrogate district are closing to all, including the children of key workers as a result of the snow.

Rossett School, Harrogate, closed this morning and reached out to parents and carers

St Aidan's, Harrogate, closed this morning due to weather and said "travel arrangements are being finalised"

Killinghall CE Primary School, closed this morning due to weather

9.30am - Trouble on the roads

The snow is causing major issues on the roads around the Harrogate district this morning.

https://twitter.com/OscarRomeo1268/status/1347475486679699456?s=20

Traffic reports on Google Maps is showing heavy congestion around Harrogate and Knaresborough.