WEATHER conditions have remained poor today with strong winds, rain and snow affecting travel routes as well as power outages and fallen trees from last night’s Storm Arwen affecting residents across the force area.

Police are also continuing to support partner agencies to recover several stranded motorists who got stuck on the A66 overnight and the road is expected to remain closed again tonight.

A spokeman for Durham Police said: "Please refrain from travelling tonight and help us keep the emergency services’ phone lines clear.

"If you must travel, please allow extra time for your journey, slow down, and travel prepared for the conditions."

To report issues such as fallen trees or power cuts, please see a full list of partner agencies who are continuing to work hard to resolve issues caused by Storm Arwen here: https://www.durham.police.uk/.../Storm-Arwen-update.aspx

Durham County Council has drafted in extra staff to cope with the aftermath of Storm Arwen, with many areas still dealing with road closures and power cuts.

The authority has issued an update after a difficult night for staff, who have worked tirelessly to clear snow, fallen trees and other debris from roads and responded to more than 200 calls from the public.

A spokesperson for the authority said: “In some locations winds have nearly reached 100mph, this combined with rain and snow on the higher ground has caused damage to buildings, flooding and a large number of trees to fall and close roads across the county.

 “The drifting snow and high winds have closed roads, gritters and additional plant continue to clear these areas.”

Read more: Live: North East and Yorkshire wakes up to Storm Arwen carnage

The authority said all its winter maintenance power gritters and trailer gritters are out on routes and supplemented by additional plant including two multi hog snow blowers and several loading shovels and JCBs clearing snow trees and debris.

Snow blowers are working in Weardale and five loading shovels are clearing snow in High Pennine and Low Pennine areas.

The spokesperson added that the council has been informed of power outages in Upper Weardale and Teesdale and part of Toft Hill and Bishop Auckland, and also that damaged phone masts are hampering communications in some areas.

Wolsingham depot has no power and the staff have relocated to Tindale Crescent, near Bishop Auckland, vehicles are refuelling from Meadowfield and Tindale.

Four extra two-person teams have been deployed to deal with ongoing incidents relating to Storm Arwen.

Once roads are cleared of snow and flooding, staff will support with the tree clearing operation after which there will be an extensive clean-up operation required.

The Northern Echo:

Near Woodland, County Durham this morning Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The spokesperson added: “The forecast is sub-zero almost county wide with extreme cold conditions in High Pennine domains tomorrow morning so we are trying to reopen as much of the priority network as possible during the day.”

Here is a full list of County Durham roads currently impassable, as of 11am, on Saturday, November 27:

Weardale Area

A689 Killhope to Cumbria County Boundary    Due to Snow

B6295 Cowshill  to Allenheads.      Due to Snow

B6278 Stanhope to Edmundbyers.  Due to Snow

B6278 Stanhope to Egglestone  Due to Snow

C20. Crawleyside Stanhope   Due to Snow

C21 Rookhope to Allenheads.  Due to Snow

C16 Crawleyside Stanhope. Due to Snow

C77 Ireshopeburn to Rookhope. Due to Snow

C78 Westgate to Rookhope. Due to Snow

C28. Westgate to Newbiggin. Due to Snow

C75 Frosterley to Stanhope.  Due to Fallen Tree

Bishop Auckland area

Bishops Auckland to West Auckland, the old A688.  Due to Fallen Tree

C93 Witton Park to Escomb.  Due to Fallen Tree

Teesdale Area 

B6277 Middleton to Harwood  Cumbria County Boundary.  Due to snow, fallen trees and downed power lines.

B6276 Middleton-in-Teesdale to Brough. Due to snow, fallen trees and downed power lines.

C163. Cotherstone to Bowes.   Due to Fallen Tree

Several Unclassified Road near Newbiggin have downed power lines.

The A67 at Bowes is down to one lane due to a power line down. 

Several other roads still partially obstructed by trees and cables but passable with care.

Flooding has forced the temporary closure of:

A167 at Newton Aycliffe

Tunstall Road, Wolsingham

A689 Howden-le-Wear to Crook

And Crook to Billy Row.

 

 

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