Motorists stranded amid the blizzard

Feb 2 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

A MAJOR rescue operation was launched last night when 130 cars were stranded on one of the North’s major roads, as heavy snow caused chaos.

The A66 in County Durham was due to remain closed until at least this morning as police assessed treacherous conditions, forcing drivers to leave vehicles on the roadside.

Motorists were left stranded about five miles west of Bowes from around 5pm. Among those rescued from the road, which was closed between Scotch Corner and Brough, was a group of 45 pensioners from the North-East travelling home from Blackpool.

Last night dozens of travellers were evacuated to Bowes Village Hall and the village’s Unicorn pub where they were given hot food and drinks and offered overnight accommodation.

The decision to close the road was taken by the Durham and Cumbria police forces after police described the trans-Pennine route as impassable.

At the village hall mother-of-two Penny Robinson, 39, of Spennymoor, County Durham, who was on her way to a family holiday in Center Parcs, Penrith, when they were forced to turn back, said: “It was terrible, there was just nowhere to turn. It looks like we’re going home tonight and we’re going to try to make another attempt in the morning.”

Colin and Dorothy Kipling, of Whitby, were put up in a bed and breakfast after the snow stopped them from travelling to Kendal. They treated other families stranded to a fish supper with the food they were carrying.

Mrs Kipling, 62, said: “It was the worst weather I have seen. You couldn’t see the car in front of you.”

Simon Wilson, landlord of The Castle Hotel, in Brough, was looking after the 45 pensioners from the coach. He said: “When they arrived they were quite cold and disorientated, but once they got warmed up and had some tea and whisky they seemed fine.”

Joanne Foster, landlady at the Unicorn Pub in Bowes, said: “There was blowing wind, but they do have snow gates on the A66 and they were shut. I think what happened was the gates were shut and people were turned round and the cars were stuck past the gates.”

Sue Henley, 54, secretary of Bowes Village Hall, said: “It started snowing heavily at around lunchtime and didn’t stop for hours. I could barely see two foot out my living room window. It’s the worst snow I have seen in many years

“Motorists started arriving at the hall on foot. They were cold, wet and miserable. The hall has heating but is not equipped to provide sleeping accommodation. The villagers are rallying round but it’s going to be a massive operation to provide for everyone.”

Last night Durham Police Assistant Chief Constable Michael Banks said: “The weather conditions remain treacherous and the road impassable. Anyone intending to drive should only do so if they have absolutely no alternative.”

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Gritters battle to keep roads open

A MAJOR gritting operation was underway last night, with local authorities under pressure to make the region’s roads passable.

Having laid salt on all the major roads in the city, Newcastle City Council were anticipating the operation continuing over the weekend. Fourteen gritting vehicles carrying up to three tonnes of salt were geared up for action last night.

A Newcastle City Council spokesman said: "We were completely prepared had the weather got any worse."

Both Northumberland and Durham County Councils sent teams of gritters on to the roads. A spokesman for Northumberland County Council said: "We had around 40 gritters and 30 ploughs out clearing the snow. We had crews working through the night to keep main routes open."

A spokesman for Durham County Council added: "We have had crews out covering all our gritting routes from lunchtime."

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