OFFICIALS are pleading with residents to stay at home as highways teams work to clear roads.

North Yorkshire County Council is appealing for people from across the area to avoid travelling on the roads today, overnight and into the weekend due to treacherous travelling conditions.

Snow has been falling across many parts of the county for much of the day leading to blocked roads, hazardous stretches of highway, flooding, stuck vehicles and collisions due to slippery surfaces, a spokesperson said. 

The Northern Echo:

Karl Battersby, North Yorkshire’s director for business and environmental services which includes highways, warned the "dangerous" conditions would only going to get worse as the weather is expected to turn very cold this evening. 

Clearing skies are expected to lead to widespread frost and sub-zero road temperatures turning  snow and standing slush and water into sheet ice.

He said: “Our gritting teams, snow ploughs, farmer contractors and highways officers have been working round the clock dealing with very challenging conditions. 

"People should not be travelling during the Covid-19 lockdown unless absolutely essential and now we are appealing to everybody not to go out and not to drive unless they have to due to the effects of wintry weather. 

“The conditions on the roads are extremely challenging and we want to avoid accidents and people getting stuck at all costs, especially during a pandemic, as this puts travellers as well as highways staff and the emergency services at great risk.

“However, with less traffic on the road gritting becomes less effective, so those who have no choice but to venture forth must do so with great caution.”