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Crashes galore as ice causes chaos
BLACK ice and snow caused mayhem on Calderdale's roads yesterday.
Police said many drivers were unprepared for the treacherous weather conditions which led to more than a dozen minor bumps across the district before lunchtime.
During the morning rush hour traffic was gridlocked on the A58 from Halifax to Hipperholme and on the A6036 towards Shelf.
Traffic officer PC Simon Hall said: "Cars were sliding all over the place because of the ice. Drivers needed to be prepared and take extra care.
"These kind of accidents don't need to happen and they won't if drivers slow down and be aware of what's happening around them.
"When the weather is like it was yesterday, drivers should make sure all their windows are clear from condensation and they should be going out and having a look at the condition of the road. If it's slippery underfoot, it's slippery under the tyres too."
He also warned drivers if they were caught driving with windows which were not de-misted they could face three points on their licence and a 60 fine or court action.
Police attended bumps at Savile Road in Mytholmroyd and Woodhouse Lane, Halifax, and the Siddal area of Halifax was badly affected by black ice. Officers were called to Rookery Lane, Phoebe Lane, Crossley Hill and Bottoms. And a BMW skidded into a wall in Rosemary Lane, Siddal, Halifax.
Calderdale Council had gritters out from 4.30am yesterday. They spent all morning ensuring roads, particularly on the higher ground, were freshly gritted after the snowfall.
Two schools – Old Town, Hebden Bridge and St John's, Rishworth – were shut and school was cancelled for more than 200 children with special needs because of the snow and ice.
Many of the youngsters who attend Woodbank Primary, Luddenden Foot, Highbury School, Rastrick, and Ravenscliffe, Halifax, use wheelchairs or have difficulty walking.
Transport manager Paul Topham said: "We consulted head teachers at 7am and because of the severe weather we all agreed that a transport service would not run in the interests of safety."
...and there's more to come
DRIVERS are being urged to prepare for more bad wather.
A weather forecaster warned: "The snow yesterday is nothing compared to what it's going to be tomorrow."
Today's weather is expected to be cold and dry but more heavy snow is forecast to spread in from the west tomorrow. Temperatures will rise above freezing on Friday.
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Weather for Halifax
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -5 C to -0 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
