[P]olice and partner agencies have been working hard throughout the night to keep roads clear and protect the people of Cumbria.
Although the snow is forecast to ease today, there are strong winds and low temperatures creating snow flurries, ice, and there are reports of trees having fallen in the wind. The advice remains unchanged, only travel if it is essential and to drive to the conditions of the road in front of you. This advice applies especially to those in the North and East of Cumbria where roads and conditions are most affected.
All agencies are working together to keep the roads clear with significant resources out overnight and this morning. Emergency services and partner agencies have been out overnight gritting road, ploughing, rescuing stranding individuals, providing supplies to vulnerable people and attending incidents.
The M6 from junction 36 to junction 45, north and southbound was reduced to one lane overnight, with speed restrictions in place. Following gritting and ploughing and the removal of vehicles involved in collisions the lanes are now all reopen, but the speed restrictions remaining in place until further notice.
The A69 has also been reopened following intensive efforts to clear it.
Agencies are currently on the A66 with extensive resources working to clear this road.
The following roads (or roads sections) are currently closed:
- A686 Hartside, Melmerby to Alston: closed
- A689 Brampton to Alston: closed
- A592 Kirkstone Pass: full length closed
- A592 Dalemain: closed due to drifting snow
- U4046 and C4028, Corney Fell Road: A595 Waberthwaite to A595 Duddon Bridge
- Cold Fell: full length closed
- Birker Fell: full length closed
- Hardknott Pass: full length closed
- Honister Pass: full length closed
- Newlands Pass: full length closed
- Steel Brow, Friizington: full length closed
- Dearham to Crosby Road: temporary full length closure due to road traffic collision.
- B5299 Snow Hill to Mealsgate: closed due to drifting snow
- C2055 Caldbeck to Hesket Newmarket: passable with care
- U5001 The Struggle on Kirkstone Pass: closed
- Unclassified Road off A680 to Rigmaden Bridge: closed
- A6 Penrith to Shap: passable with Care
- A685 Grayrigg: passable with Care
- Newby Bridge to Hawkshead: closed tree down
- A5091: closed due to drifting snow
- B5320 Eamont Bridge to Pooley Bridge: closed due to drifting snow
- Colby to Appleby: closed due to drifting snow
- B5305 Goose Green to Penrith: passable with care
- Great Corby: closed due to drifting snow
A train near Brampton was reported as stranded late yesterday evening (1st march), Police and British Transport Police worked to bring all travellers to safety. There were no injuries reported
Overnight, Police and partner agencies were also providing support and provisions, and where needed evacuation, to those stranded in vehicles on the A69.
A coordinated multi-agency approach is also in place to support the rural communities currently cut off by the serve weather, with provisions being delivered to Alston. Communities are asked, where possible, to support each other and highlight any concerns for vulnerable individuals to care providers. Where needed, cut off communities should contact 101 if their situation needs police assistance. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
Superintendent Matt Kennerley said: “I want to thank the people of Cumbria for their support and cooperation during this ongoing adverse weather. I also want to thank officers and all of our partner agencies who’s response has been overwhelming, with many putting themselves in danger to assist the public and keep Cumbria safe.
“We would still urge you not to drive unless it is essential, we are all working hard to get roads safely reopened.
The police control room is currently receiving a high volume of calls regarding road condition, please could the public be advised to check the latest road condition via the traffic map. www.cumbria.police.uk/traffic-link-map.
Please contact 101 if you need police assistance. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
Keep up-to-date with:
The weather: www.metoffice.gov.uk.
Where the roads are being gritted: www.cumbria.gov.uk or follow @Cumbriagritters.
