Weather causes traffic chaos and closes school

Middlestown J&I School has closed fully today due to failing power.

Ossett Academy is aiming to open at 10am, and Netherton J&I School at noon.

Arriva has reported delays to many of its bus services, and said the 128 service between Wakefield and Dewsbury is not running due to the conditions.

There were delays on the M62 earlier this morning due to a crash involving three lorries near junction 23, and an overturned vehicle on the eastbound exit sliproad at junction 28 at Tingley.

Wakefield Council said it was aiming to complete all household bin rounds today, though refuse trucks were moving slowly and with caution.

It said gritters were prioritising main routes and would then move onto bin routes and side roads.

Highways network manager Graham West said: “We urge both drivers and pedestrians to take great care when moving about.

“Black ice forms when supercooled rain falls on to sub-zero temperature roads, washes off the salt and then immediately freezes. This is an exceptional weather condition and we can simply do nothing before the event.

“We gritted last night at 7pm and went out again this morning at 5:30am. Nevertheless, the conditions on both roads and pavements were extremely difficult this morning.”

Temperatures are expected to increase as the day goes on, and weekend temperatures will be between 6 and 8 degrees.