By Martin Walker
Weather has caused mayhem on some of the region’s roads – and police are advising all motorists to take care.
Thankfully nothing serious has been reported in Newton Aycliffe up to 9am Wednesday morning.
But the East and West-bound carriageways of the A66 remain closed due to heavy snow, with police advising motorists to avoid the route all day, while the A68 is also closed.
Meanwhile, about 40,000 homes are without electricity in parts of Derwentside.
Durham’s chief superintendent Andy Reddick said: “We advise motorists to drive with caution, monitor their speed and check all routes before setting off.”
The bizarre spring weather took a turn for the worse yesterday, bringing snow and rain only days after the region was basking in the sun.
However, despite the downpours, a major operation had to be launched in part of the region to save hundreds of fish from a drought-hit river.
Weather forecasters said the North-East, which two days ago was enjoying high temperatures and bright sun, has now been hit by rain and, in high areas, snow.
In Northallerton, North Yorkshire, police closed Romanby Road at 7pm last night after high winds blew masonry from a chimney stack onto the road side. Fire crews were called to the scene to make it safe.
High winds brought down a tree in Norton Back Lane at Sadberge, near Darlington, last night, blocking the road in both directions.
Durham County Council deployed gritters yesterday afternoon amid predictions that 6in of snow would fall on high ground, including across Weardale.
Staff at Killhope Lead Mining Museum, in Upper Weardale, advised people not to visit the museum yesterday because of the snow.
Meanwhile, the water level in the River Rye, near Helmsley, North Yorkshire, which usually drops in the height of summer, is exceptionally low because of the lack of rain over the past few months.
The level is causing serious problems for the native population of brown trout and grayling, so Environment Agency staff are having to act now to save them despite the turn in the weather. They are using an electric current to temporarily stun the fish along a 2km length of river around Helmsley. As the fish rise to the surface, they are being collected and taken to deeper pools upstream. They will remain there until the river level rises enough for them to swim downstream again.
The decision to act came nearly a week after the Environment Agency announced a drought in parts of Yorkshire.