Storm-hit Harrogate tackles fallen trees, blocked roads, power cuts and road and rail disruption
“Yesterday saw a fallen tree blocking the railway between Harrogate and Poppleton, causing trains on the Harrogate-York line to terminate”
The Harrogate district is clearing up today after the arrival of Storm Boelo brought a wild weekend of fallen trees, blocked roads, power cuts and road and rail disruption.
Gales of 50 to 60mph on Saturday and Sunday saw trees uprooted in many locations across Harrogate, including several trees on the Stray.
Other places to experience fallen trees and branches in Harrogate included Jennyfield Drive, Wetherby Road, Bower Road, East Park Road, Hookstone Chase and Yew Tree Lane.
Residents in Harrogate also reported broken fences at their properties as the fierce winds raged on and off across town.
While Harrogate Bus Company continued to operate during Storm Boelo, with occasional diversions, Harrogate rail routes were disrupted yesterday, Sunday and remain so today, Monday.
Yesterday saw a fallen tree blocking the railway between Harrogate and Poppleton, causing trains on the Harrogate-York line to terminate for a time and Leeds trains to set off from Harrogate.
Today, Monday, Northern are still reporting delays on the Harrogate to York rail line, principally near Poppleton.
In addition, some trains on the Leeds to York via Harrogate route are not calling at Weeton or Headingley in both directions.
According to Northern Powergrid, the Harrogate and Bridlington areas had the highest level of disruption to power supplies in North Yorkshire on Sunday morning.
Residents near Brimham Rocks on the Pateley Bridge road were among those to experience temporary power cuts yesterday.
Visitor attractions across the Harrogate district were also hit with many either fully or partially closed, on Sunday, including RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Mother Shipton's Cave, Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park, Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal and Harewood House.
Following the weekend's stormy weather, RHS Garden Harlow Carr will open later than usual today, Monday at 11am.
This is to enable RHS teams time to carry out essential safety checks across the garden, assess any damage and clear fallen branches and debris before welcoming visitors.
The weekend’s storm also saw falling trees threaten to disrupt road traffic.
In Ripon, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service attended a single vehicle road traffic collision on Saturday night at 9pm when a car was hit by a fallen tree.
Fire crews administered first aid to the driver until arrival of ambulance. took the casualty to hospital.
A section of the A61 was blocked by a tree between Ripon and Harrogate, near Harrogate Garden Centre.
There were also reports of a tree blocking part of Pennypot Lane.
Coincidentally, Bond End in Knaresborough was blocked for a time at the weekend because of a broken down car.
Weather forecasts for the UK show the return of some stormy weather this week but it is not expected to impact on the Harrogate district, though it will be wet and a little breezy at times.