North Yorkshire Council is mounting a wide-ranging effort to combat the most severe winter weather since 2018’s “Beast from the East,” as freezing temperatures and heavy snow grip the region.
Council staff, supported by volunteers, have been working tirelessly to ensure roads and footpaths remain accessible despite snow, ice, and freezing temperatures as low as -12°C. Highways teams and farming contractors have been gritting, clearing snow drifts, and refilling grit bins to help residents navigate safely.
Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, said: “The council is currently battling the most extreme winter conditions we’ve seen since the ‘Beast from the East’ in 2018.
“Our crews are working round the clock across our vast, rural county to deal with snow, ice and freezing temperatures. Conditions in the west of North Yorkshire, including in and around Harrogate and the Dales, are proving particularly challenging.”
Additional manpower has been deployed, with waste and parks staff lending support to gritting operations. Despite these efforts, sub-zero temperatures have limited the effectiveness of road salt, and snow drifts continue to complicate clearance work.
Cllr Duncan added: “While we are doing all we can to ensure that roads and footpaths are treated and cleared, we would ask people to take extra care while they are out. We thank the public for their understanding.”
With freezing conditions expected to persist for several days, North Yorkshire residents are advised to plan their journeys carefully and remain vigilant on icy roads and pavements.
