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23

Aug 2024

Last Updated: 23/08/2024
Environment
Environment

Storm Lilian causes havoc across Harrogate district

by Flora Grafton

| 23 Aug, 2024
Comment

1

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A fallen tree in Hampsthwaite today. Credit: Stephen Hassall.

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Storm Lilian has caused a lot of disruption across the Harrogate district today. 

The Met Office yesterday issued a yellow weather warning for wind across the north of England, with gusts nearing 60mph locally. 

With trees down, trains cancelled and stages lost at Leeds Festival, we kept you up to date with the latest on Storm Lilian. 

Things appear to have eased now, but you can catch up with the affects of today's weather below. 

2.45: Leeds Festival finally opens main arena

Leeds Festival has announced the main arena is now open after Storm Lilian caused chaos for organisers. 

The first act, Bru-C, will take to the main stage at 3.10pm.

The festival confirmed the BBC Radio 1, Chevron and Aux stages will all be closed as a result of the winds. 

The BBC Introducing stage will "continue as normal" from around 3pm, organisers said. 

12.45: Path blocked by tree in the Pinewoods

A tree has fallen down on a path in the Pinewoods, in Harrogate. 

Pinewoods Conservation Group shared a photo of the tree and said the path is blocked from the recreation ground to RHS Garden Harlow Carr. 

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Credit: Pinewoods Conservation Group

11.52: Tree blocks lane on Fountains Road

A tree has come down on Fountains Road, near Mole Country Stores. The road is beyond Ripley and runs towards Bishop Thornton and Sawley. 

It is blocking the left lane (towards Ripley) and is restricting visibility. 

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The fallen tree on Fountains Road.

11.10: Train station entrance taped off

The entrance to Harrogate Station has been taped off after the station's sign appears to be hanging off.

Officials at the station have taped off the Station Road entrance.

Multiple services on the Harrogate line have been cancelled this morning due to a tree being down near Headingley.

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10.50: Delays continue on Harrogate line

Trains are still being delayed on the Harrogate line due a fallen tree near Headingley station.

The disruption is causing delays on services between Leeds and Harrogate.

Northern has urged passengers to check before they travel on its website here.

9.57: Kiosk at Conyngham Hall closed

The Kiosk at Conyngham Hall has announced it will be closed today. 

Staff said they feel it would the "safest option" as the kiosk is "surrounded by many large trees".

9.38: Leeds Festival 'loses' two stages

Headline acts are set to perform at Leeds Festival as the event officially kicks off today. 

However, Storm Lilian had other plans and the organisers have delayed opening the main arena. 

In a recent update, the festival said it can "see an end in sight to the high winds" but said the main arena "definitely won't be opening at 11am". 

The update said organisers are working hard to open the arena as soon as possible after that, but two stages have been "lost" as a result of the gusts. 

It said:

"We have definitely lost the BBC Radio 1 stage today, and there will be no performances on it. 

"We have also lost the Aux stage today, and there will be no performances on it. We remain hopeful that everything else will continue as planned and that we will still have an amazing weekend". 

Festivalgoers are advised to await further information. 

9.30: Tree down around Frogmire Dyke

A tree has fallen across the path that runs along Frogmire Dyke in Knaresborough. 

A report online said it is near Farndale Road and advised people to avoid the path.

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Tree down on path along Frogmire Dyke. Credit: Helen Wollacott.

9.25: Mother Shipton's Cave closes

Mother Shipton's Cave has announced it will be closed today. 

The Knaresborough attraction yesterday said it would delay opening until 11.10am, however it has this morning made the "difficult decision" to shut for the entire day.

It said on social media:

"Due to the ongoing strong winds and after a thorough assessment of the site by our owner, we have made the difficult decision to close Mother Shipton's Cave for the entire day. Safety is our top priority, and it’s simply not safe for our team or visitors to be on-site today.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. We are contacting all visitors with bookings directly."

9.15: Festivalgoers advised to 'keep tents secure' 

According to several media reports, including the BBC, The Met Office's Greg Dewhurst has advised campers at Leeds Festival to secure their tents. 

Mr Dewhurst reportedly said:

"The wind will pick up in that area through the night, particularly strongest towards dawn and then first thing in the morning, before then easing through the morning.

"So there could be potentially some impacts from those strong winds, of 50 to 60mph in the area so it's worth making sure your tents are secured."

8.53: Tree blocking Forest Lane

A tree has come down on Forest Lane, near Jewson and the Mini garage. 

It looks to be blocking the width of the road.  

8.43: Boroughbridge petrol station closed due to lack of electricity 

Reports say Morrisons petrol station and shop, in Boroughbridge, are both closed due to a lack of electricity. 

8.42: Tree blocking Boroughbridge Road

A tree has come down on Boroughbridge Road near Minskip. 

It appears to be impassable.  

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A fallen tree in Hampsthwaite today. Credit: Stephen Hassall.

8.20: Tree down in Hampsthwaite

A large tree has come down in Hampsthwaite village.

It seems to have been a well-loved tree, as reports say it is "such a shame" and a "sad day for Hampsthwaite". 

8am: Trains disrupted

Northern Rail said trains between York, Knaresborough, Harrogate and Leeds are severely disrupted as some lines are blocked. 

Trains between Leeds and Harrogate are delayed due to reports of a tree down on the line. 

The operator said trains running across the whole network are expected to be delayed, cancelled or revised until 2pm today. 

7.55am: Rudding Park closes golf club

We have also received a report that Rudding Park Golf Club has closed due to the high winds.

7.55am: Tree down on A658 Harrogate Road

A tree came down on the A658 Harrogate Road near Huby this morning. 

A witness said people were able to move some of the fallen tree, but added a large part remains in the road. 

He said the road is "passable on one side, but tight". 

The road between North Rigton and Beckwithshaw is currently closed for resurfacing, meaning people cannot go through North Rigton as an alternate route. 

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A tree has come down on the A658 Harrogate Road.

7.50: Attractions close

Yesterday, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, RHS Garden Harlow Carr and Mother Shipton's Cave all announced closures due to the wind. 

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal will close today, while Harlow Carr is expected to open at midday. 

StarHarrogate's John Shackleton, 85, to take on 50th and final humanitarian missionStarHarrogate district braced for strong winds as Storm Lillian is forecast