Gone with the wind!
Jan 31 2008 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
GALE-force winds ripped part of the roof off a big Huddersfield filling station today.
The panels from the roof of the Sovereign Filling Station at Shepley were hurled into the road – forcing police to close three main roads.
The drama meant traffic chaos for hundreds of people who use the busy Sovereign crossroads.
Police closed the A629 Penistone Road from Kirkburton, the A636 Barnsley Road towards Upper Cumberworth and Lane Head Road towards Shepley. They re-opened at 9am.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Debris from the roof was blown into the road and officers decided to close the junction for safety reasons.
“We have called in Kirklees Council to deal with the roof.”
The gales hit Huddersfield with a vengeance.
And people have been warned to be ready for more wintry blasts.
Local meteorologist Paul Stevens warns Arctic weather will hit the town over the next 72 hours.
It will bring gales and heavy rain, turning to sleet and then snow by the weekend.
Gusts of up to 68mph were recorded at Emley shortly after 6am today and in other areas they reached 50mph.
Drivers faced hazards with wheeled bins blown into the roads in many areas.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “The public are advised to take extra care and refer to the highways agency for further advice regarding traffic disruption on motorways and trunk roads.”
Some snow was expected later today but more is likely overnight and tomorrow.
And there could be substantial falls over the hills, possibly up to six inches in exposed areas.
Stevens said: “A developing winter storm is moving across Scotland which will mean heavy rain and severe gales. These will last through Friday morning. Winds will reach 70mph.
“Through to Sunday, although there will be sunshine, snow showers will feed into the west of Kirklees in particular with 10 to 20cm possible over the hills, leading to possible drifting.”
A long stretch of the M6 in Cumbria was closed to traffic for a time today after at six accidents on a stretch between Kirby Lonsdale and Shap as the road was hit by fierce gales.
