Cumbria Police Update

Published at 23:15 on 2nd December 2023.

A multi-agency response is continuing after a major incident was declared to minimise challenges which heavy snowfall is having on the county’s road network.

Agencies are continuing in their efforts to assist those affected by the snow with the Highways teams from Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council continuing to clear priority routes so those impacted can be supported.

Police are continuing to urge people not to travel unless it is necessary, particularly those considering travelling in the South Lakes and Millom areas, due to the challenging road conditions.

Motorists are reminded that highways crews have to clear the snow from the road first before gritters can follow to put salt down, so even if a snowplough has been along a road it can still be treacherous until it has been treated.

Superintendent Andy Wilkinson, Cumbria Constabulary, said: “We are continuing to see challenging conditions in Cumbria.

“Agencies across the county have been working hard and will be into the night in response to the impact of heavy snowfall.

“We are aware of a number of incidents in which highway teams and those assisting in the efforts to support those affected by the snow have been verbally abused.

“We understand people’s frustration during this time; however, agencies are working hard to improve the situation in Cumbria and are also facing the challenging road conditions when responding.

“The snow today ended up being much more significant than forecast and the amber warning that was put in place this afternoon is in place until midnight and, with a yellow warning from snow and ice tomorrow, we expect to continue to see challenging road conditions whilst these warning are in place. Therefore, we continue to ask people to not travel and to only do so if absolutely necessary.”

A number of community venues have been opened to offer support to those impacted by the heavy snow fall.

We ask if you are attending to not attend in your vehicle, leave this in a safe position and head to the venue.

• Ambleside – Ambleside Parish Centre, Vicarage Road.
• Windermere – Langstone House, Broad Street, Windermere.
• Grizebeck – Grizebeck Community Hall.
• Coniston – Coniston Sports and Social Centre.
• Nr and Far Sawry, Braithwaite Hall.
• Bowness – Lake District Boat Club, Glebe Road, Bowness.
• Troutbeck – Sun Inn, Troutbeck.
• Staveley – Staveley Village Hall.
• Hawkshead – Esthwaite Primary School, Main Street, Hawkshead.

The amber warning, which came into effect earlier this afternoon, for snow covering large sections of south and west Cumbria remains in place until midnight.

A yellow weather warning covering most of the county is also in place for snow and ice until midnight. An additional yellow weather warning is also in place from midnight until 11am tomorrow morning, covering most of the county.

For the latest information on weather warnings, please visit: UK weather warnings (https://orlo.uk/6mBLU).

The following roads are currently impacted by the weather conditions.
• A591 Windermere Road (Plumgarth Roundabout, Kendal) to Wythburn – Severe delays and road is impassable due to snow.
• A592 between Newby Bridge and Windermere both ways just passable due to snow.
• A593 between Skelwith Bridge and Ambleside – both ways just passable due to snow.
• A590 Greenodd to Newby Bridge – both ways just passable long delays, queueing traffic due to snow from.
• A595 Kirkby-in-Furness and Grizebeck – just passable and queuing traffic due to snow.
• A6 from Kirkby’s Stephen Hill turn off (Shap) to Garth Row (Garth Row) both ways just passable, queueing traffic due to snow.
• Harras Road in Whitehaven – queuing traffic between York Terrace and Red Lonning.
• B5286 between Clappersgate and Hawkshead – queuing traffic and just passable.
• Woodhouse Road in Whitehaven – queuing traffic between the B5345 St Bees Road and Fell View Avenue.
• A5092 between Whicham and Greenodd – Queueing traffic and road impassable due to snow both ways.
• M6 southbound between J38 (Tebay) and 37 (Kendal) – traffic is now moving following an incident of jack-knifed lorries.

For the latest information the county’s roads, please visit the traffic map: https://orlo.uk/6QaF6
For the latest information on power outages, please visit: Fault list (https://orlo.uk/JYS66)
For the latest information on water outages, please visit: https://orlo.uk/39W0C

Note that the Gilpin Bridge has opened a function room for shelter.