High winds bring down trees on Richmondshire’s roads

North Yorkshire Police says it has dealt with more than 80 instances of road disruption in four hours this afternoon, with officers working to keep road users safe and moving.

Between 12pm and 4pm today, police were called about, or dealt with, 81 incidents involving highway disruption, such as obstructions caused by fallen trees and signs, or damaged vehicles.

As the windy weather continues, officers are reminding people who come across fallen trees to contact their local council, not the police, unless there is a significant risk to others, or there has been a collision involving injuries.

This story continues after the adverts:

Some of the incidents police have dealt with in Richmondshire so far this afternoon include:

• On Quakers Lane in Richmond, a tree fell onto two parked cars and blocked the footpath at about 1.15pm. Officers checked no one was inside the cars, and passed the details to the local authority for them to take clear the blockage.
• At 2.45pm, a caller reported a “massive” tree down on a blind bend on the A684 at Crakehall, near Bedale. Police passed the details to the local authority, and an officer went to the scene due to the dangerous location and risk to road users.
• At 3pm, a caller reported an uprooted tree pulling on electrical wires at Constable Burton, near Leyburn.

A PCSO attended to assess the incident, and details were passed to the power company.

At 3.20pm, a traffic light came loose from the ground and was swinging round by its cable at Byng Road, Catterick Garrison. An officer arrived and was able to secure the light with police tape, so it can be safely repaired later.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “We have been working extremely hard this afternoon, taking calls and ensuring road users across the county stay safe.

“If you come across a fallen tree or sign, you only need to call the police if there is a significant risk to others, or there has been a collision and someone is injured.

“If that’s not the case, please report the obstruction to the local council or Highways England.”