'Stay home' advice as Arctic blast brings snow

Emergency services are warning people against non-essential travel as an Arctic weather blast continues.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning for snow and ice for most of the North East and Cumbria from 21:00 GMT on Saturday until midnight on Sunday.

Northumbria Police said people should "only travel when necessary".

Six vehicles became stuck on an ice and snow covered road in the Lake District, where several roads are already closed.

A "multi-vehicle collision" was initially reported at 13:05 GMT on Wrynose Pass, Cumbria Police said.

The vehicles were safely escorted down the single track mountain side route, officers later updated.

Cumberland Council earlier closed some roads due to icy conditions and urged those who had to travel to do so with caution.

The road closures include Hardknott Pass, Cold Fell and Birker Fell.

Richard Warren, from the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association, added: "Our advice is to think very carefully before you venture out because you may never get to where you want to go.

"It's always quite worrying when we have weather warnings like this because, as well as carrying out rescues in the mountains, we support the police and the ambulance service rescuing drivers who are stuck.

"In December 2023 we spent two or three days going out to dozens of 999 calls when a couple of feet of snow arrived in Cumbria."

Senior weather presenter Jennifer Bartram said much of Northern England could see significant accumulations of snow.

"Anywhere above 1,000 feet (300m), such as parts of the Pennines and the Cheviots, could see as much as 16in (40cm) of snow during this period," she said.

"There's a real risk of snow drifting and the potential for blizzard conditions in places.

"Even down to lower levels we could see between 1-3in (3-7cm) of snow, which could cause significant travel disruption as conditions become treacherous."

Local authorities say their gritters will be out throughout the weekend with snow ploughs on standby for more extreme conditions.

Insp Matthew Hough from Northumbria Police's Roads Policing Unit said: "Given the conditions, if you are still planning to travel please take extra care, plan ahead and leave extra time for your journeys."

Train companies including LNER, Northern and CrossCountry are advising people to check their social media pages before travelling.

Charities are reminding older people to keep their homes adequately heated.

Christine Nicholls from Community Action Northumberland recommends "at least 18C and if people are less mobile, 20 or 21C".

"I know people are worried about their bills after the winter fuel payment was removed for most, but health most come first," she said.

"There are lots of organisations like us which can help if you're struggling to pay your bills, but right now the key thing is that elderly people stay warm."

Meanwhile, cold weather payments have been triggered for some people living in Cumbria and Northumberland.

It is a government benefit top-up to help with fuel bills, for people already receiving certain benefits.

The average temperature in a local area must be zero degrees Celsius or less for seven days in a row, or be forecast to be below freezing for seven consecutive days.

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