Snow And Gales Cause Power Cuts And Gridlock

Tens of thousands of homes have been left without power and thousands of drivers experienced long delays as snow, ice and strong winds hit the North East.

The wintry weather has brought down hundreds of power cables across northern England since the bad weather arrived on Tuesday afternoon, affecting around 90,000 homes.

Between six and eight inches of snow fell in high parts of the Peak District, Pennines and Cumbria overnight, as blizzard conditions spread south from Scotland.

But forecasters say milder weather will see a return to Spring temperatures this Easter weekend after Britain enjoyed record high temperatures in late March.

Northern Powergrid said 12,000 properties in the North East and Yorkshire were still without power.

Faults have been reported at about 120 substations.

Speaking to Sky News, the energy company said a team of 250 engineers has been working to restore power "as soon as they can".

The company has set up a power cut helpline on 0800 66 88 77 (North East customers) or 0800 375 675 (Yorkshire customers).

The Peak District has also been hit hard with Western Power Distribution reporting that 1,500 homes are still without power between Buxton and Chesterfield in north Derbyshire.

A spokeswoman said the firm hoped most would be restored tonight.

Heavy snow in Scotland had left 11,000 Scottish Hydro customers without electricity on Tuesday morning but most have already been reconnected.

The snow caused tricky driving conditions and forced the closure of trans-Pennine routes.

Long delays in both directions between Leeds and Manchester caused frustration for thousands of motorists on the M62 after vehicles became stuck on the icy carriageway.

Durham Police said weather conditions had improved, adding: "All roads affected by snow have reopened and traffic is moving freely again."

On the A68 between Tow Law and Castleside, County Durham, 40 vehicles were stranded and on the A66 two families were rescued from their cars and sheltered at Barnard Castle police station.

In North Yorkshire, 3ft snow drifts were causing problems for motorists in parts of the county, mainly on routes across the North York Moors.

Campers at Marfit Hall farm on the North York Moors were astonished to wake with their tents half-buried in snow after enjoying a communal barbecue last week in shorts and swimming gear.

Campsite owner Angela Hodgson said: "There are people camping and it's 3ft deep. They just want to get out and go home, I think."

Sky News weather producer Joanna Robinson said: "Rain, sleet and hill snow over central parts of England and Wales this evening will fade and clear southwards overnight, and the strong wind will ease. Elsewhere, it will be largely dry and frosty, with the risk of ice, but north-west Scotland will turn wet later.

"On Thursday, after an overcast start for southern Britain, most places will be dry, with sunny spells, but Scotland and the north of Ireland will cloud over, with some patchy rain. It won't be as cold or as windy as Wednesday.

"The Easter weekend will be on the mild side and largely dry, but there will be some rain later on."