SNOW and ice has led to dangerous driving conditions across the region on Friday morning.

The A66 eastbound in Teesside, close to the Surtees Bridge, is partially blocked after a car went into the back of a lorry and traffic is said to be slow.

Reports of one lane blocked and slow traffic due to accident, a car and a lorry involved on A1(M) Northbound at J60 A689 (Bradbury).

One lane is closed and there is heavy traffic due to an accident on the A19 southbound between A61 and A168. 

The Northern Echo:

Adrian Moldovan sent in this photo today as he was flying over the region

An entry slip road on the A19 northbound is partially blocked due to an accident and a sign on road at A690 Durham Road / B1286 City Way (Herrington Interchange).

Reports of slow traffic due to an accident on A174 westbound before A1053 Greystone Road / B1380 High Street (Greystones Roundabout).

One lane is blocked resulting in slow traffic due to accident involving two cars on the A174 Parkway Westbound at A172 Stokesley Road. Cleveland Police is advising motorists to avoid the area.

Slow traffic due to an accident on A167(M) southbound between A167 / B1318 Great North Road and A1058 Jesmond Road.

There are severe delays due to multi-vehicle accident on the A1(M) northbound at J44 A64 (Bramham). Congestion on A1(M) is being reported to J42 A63 (Selby Fork). Lanes one and two (Of three) were closed. All traffic was being held in order to rescue a trapped driver and is held again to move the vehicles involved.

Reports suggest up to ten vehicles may have been involved in a crash on the B6451 near Fewston Reservoir, west of Harrogate.

There are also said to be treacherous road conditions on the A170 Sutton Bank between Helmsley and Thirsk.

Police in North Yorkshire said they had dealt with 66 road traffic accidents during their shift last night, and a further 86 road related matters.

They said: “We have towed several vehicles free from being stuck and helped grit roads amongst many other things.

“We have witnessed members of the public getting stuck in and helping each other out, with one of the best things being a Ford Ranger towing an HGV free which was stuck on Saltersgate bank on the A169 Pickering to Whitby road.”

Durham Police has also issued a warning to stay safe behind the wheel.

A spokesperson for the force at 6.52am tweeted: "Snow and ice are affecting County Durham and Darlington this morning making driving hazardous, de-ice those windscreens, allow extra time for your journey, drive carefully everyone."

The Met Office has issued a Yellow Warning for ice which remains in the place across the region until 10am.

On its website, the Met Office states: "Icy stretches are affecting some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths or where showers have caused wash off on treated roads.

"These icy stretches are likely to last during the Friday morning rush hour for many places."

The national weather service stressed the warning was solely for ice, with snow showers having eased and the majority of showers now falling as rain and sleet, as a result of rising surface temperatures.

On Thursday Durham Police dealt with numerous accidents on the A19 while in the evening the force confirmed the B6173 at Tantobie was closed and was impassable due to the weather conditions, with vehicles becoming stuck.

The A68 in the Consett area was opened in both directions at around 10.30pm last night following a closure.

This morning the force has confirmed the A66 Trans Pennine route is open but affected by snow and ice.

Durham County Council issued its own warning and advice on how to stay safe and warm during the cold snap, which can be found at www.durham.gov.uk/warmandwell

The authority has also been out gritting the roads and members of the public can follow its progress at www.durham.gov.uk/article/8708/Today-s-gritting-plans

It also tweeted to reassure residents who had not had their bin collections yesterday that rubbish would be collected today

On Twitter, the council posted: "The weather has affected some bin collections today. Please leave yours out if it hasn't been emptied and we'll be back tomorrow. Sorry for any inconvenience."

SCHOOL CLOSURES

COUNTY DURHAM

Bluebell Meadow Primary School

The school will close on Friday, 1 December 2017 (All day) and re-open on Monday, 4 December 2017 (Morning). Reason for closure: There is still snow lying on the school estates and school site making travelling to the school high risk today. We expect to be able to reopen on Monday as usual.

Delves Lane Primary School

The school will close on Friday, 1 December 2017 (Morning) and re-open on Monday, 4 December 2017 (Morning). Reason for closure: Snow causing high risk to the site. Site not accessible at present.

Elemore Hall School

The school will close on Friday, 1 December 2017 (All day) and re-open on Monday, 4 December 2017 (Morning). Reason for closure: There is still snow lying on the access roads and school drive making travelling to the school high risk today. We expect to be able to reopen on Monday as usual.

Benfieldside Primary School

The school will close on Friday, 1 December 2017 (All day) and re-open on Monday, 4 December 2017 (Morning). Reason for closure: Build up and compaction of snow and ice has made the school site and surrounding roads inaccessible.

Shotton Hall Primary School

The school will close on Friday, 1 December 2017 (All day) and re-open on Monday, 4 December 2017 (Morning). Reason for closure: snow causing high risk of accident to the site.

Brandon Primary School

The school will close on Thursday, 30 November 2017 (All day) and re-open on Monday, 4 December 2017 (Morning). Reason for closure: A severe airborne sickness bug has caused school to be closed. Please note that all children who are symptomatic must be clear of symptoms (ie last bout of sickness) for 48 hours before returning to school. School will be closed Friday 1st December to enable a deep clean to take place as advised by Public Health.

NORTH YORKSHIRE

Forest Moor School, Darley (heating problems)

Dishforth Airfield CP School (electrical fault)

Bentham Community Primary School (heating problems)

Welburn Hall Special School (weather conditions)