Motorists trapped for hours at Market Weighton due to heavy snowfall
NEARLY 50 motorists were trapped for up to four hours by snow in East Yorkshire last night (Wednesday).
The A1079 Arras Hill at Market Weighton was closed in both directions after heavy snowfall and a four-vehicle accident.
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Trapped motorists at Arras Hill. Picture BBC
Humberside Police said it was "very dangerous" and some drivers had abandoned their cars and began walking along the road after long delays.
Council snow ploughs and gritters were brought in to clear the main route between York and Hull.
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One motorist was stuck in his car for three and a half hours trying to get from Leeds to Beverley.
Another female driver said: "Where is the snow plough? I rang up the police and they said that it was in hand, but so far I've just seen the police coming up and down with a 4x4 and some poor guy with shovels."
John Skidmore, East Riding Council's head of streetscene services, said the weather was "atrocious" and they had problems getting to the scene.
He said: "We just literally couldn't get through to get everybody moving."
Motorists also took to Twitter to discuss the traffic jam and one girl posted: "Stuck on 1079 Market Weighton hill, major accident and now stuck in snow, not getting home tonight!"
One female motorist said she turned off on the M62 at South Cave and carried on through to Market Weighton before becoming trapped.
She said last night: "We shouldn't have turned off at South Cave, we were diverted and ended up being blocked here, it's going to be a long night."
The road reopened at around 10pm and it is not yet known if those involved in the accident were injured.
After the snowfall the UK will see much milder weather today, forecasters said. The mercury could rise as high as 12C (54F) in the South West, 11C (52F) in London and 9C (48F) in the North, the Midlands and Scotland.
5 Comments
by Richtreat
Thursday, February 14 2013, 7:01PM
“It's winter, it's snowy and slippery, deal with it, and drive as YOU think fit, not the **** tailgating you.”
by AdPotentia
Thursday, February 14 2013, 6:33PM
“As much as I think very little of Skidmores managment no one can blame the council for snow blocking the road.
For some strange reason many people think they should be entitled to drive any where at anytime whatever the weather. Its winter it snows, you get stuck.
Why hasn't the Mail credited the BBC for this story? Its nicked verbatim from last nights Look North. Plaugurism at the Mail tut tut.”
by loubylou116
Thursday, February 14 2013, 1:49PM
“I think it had only just happened when I came up from the slip road from MW onto Arras Hill as I saw some blue lights disappearing over the the bit after the big long bend. That was just after 7pm I think. I waited about ten mins before turning round and heading home again, and a lot of other drivers did the same. Glad I went home - hope the injured parties are ok.”
by Wellbeloved3
Thursday, February 14 2013, 12:07PM
“Totally agree. Standard of driving is truly appalling. I wasn`t there last night but the last time it snowed I followed a car from Market Weighton to Sancton going at approx 10mph, then wondered why they couldn`t make it up,the hill coming out of Sancton. There was also a driver in a Range Rover who was stuck and who was asking how to pit it into 4 wheel drive! The worst thing you can do is drive so slowly that the snow compacts into ice and the grit doesn`t then work. It is easier to drive in fresh snow than the semi compacted stuff we get by using only one lane of a motorway. We really do need a reassement of our driving tuition”
by derkoi
Thursday, February 14 2013, 11:37AM
“If people learnt to drive there wouldn't be an issue. People see snow and like sheep all follow each other at driving 5 mph.”