Friday update on impact of snow in Leeds

Council staff are working hard once again today to keep Leeds ticking over as heavy snowfall continues to cause problems for communities across much of West Yorkshire and the rest of the north.

Leeds City Council’s gritting teams were on the road throughout the night, treating and ploughing all main routes, many of which are now reported to be either clear or clearing.

Gritting was also carried out early yesterday evening, amid a Met Office amber level snow warning that is due to remain in force until midday today.

Gritters will also be aiming to get around as many of the city’s secondary routes today as possible.

Today’s bin collections have been cancelled due to the snow, with plans being put in place to revisit – where possible and subject to further hazardous weather conditions – missed streets over the weekend including Sunday, and potentially into Monday.

Residents on affected streets are therefore asked to leave unemptied bins out, as long as it is safe to do so. Please note, if these bins have not been emptied by Tuesday then they should be taken back in until their next scheduled collection day. Additional bagged side waste will be accepted when those collections take place.

Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) in Otley, Wetherby and Yeadon will be closed today. Kirkstall’s HWRC is operating as usual this morning, and it is hoped other sites will be able to open as well.

Bulky waste collections that were scheduled for today will now be made on Monday, with customers being notified of the revised arrangements.

Dozens of schools in Leeds have been closed for the day, while others will be opening late. Full details of the affected sites can be found here. The council's Little Owls nurseries are closed.

All essential children’s social care services are being maintained, while adult home care visits for the most vulnerable are being prioritised.

The council is aiming to open as many of its community hubs as possible today, although arrangements will vary from site to site depending on weather conditions and staff availability. People planning to visit a hub are advised to check on the situation at their intended destination before setting out. Contact information can be found here. Those community hubs which are open will be closing at 3pm.

Indoor attractions and the café at Temple Newsam will be closed today, along with Roundhay’s Tropical World. The full estate at Lotherton is also closed.

Leisure centres are open as usual. Leeds Art Gallery and Leeds City Museum are open, although other Leeds Museums & Galleries sites are shut.

All grass football and rugby pitches operated by the council’s parks and countryside service will be closed over the weekend due to the snowfall, wet ground conditions and forecast freezing temperatures.

The council would like to thank all of its staff and those working at partner organisations for their efforts during the bad weather. Residents are also thanked for their patience and understanding as teams endeavour to keep frontline services operating as close to normal as possible.