Emergency Services work round the clock to clear roads

As the Mail went to press a number of roads remained impassable with some roads such as the A595 near Whicham, A592 Troutbeck, A591 near Kendal and A5093 near Millom being cleared. As stranded motorists attempted to retrieve their cars, Northern Rail and Stagecoach had to cancel services throughout the day.

Up to 50 schools had to close today with some even being used to accommodate people visitors marooned by the hazardous weather. 

It is not clear which schools will remain closed on Tuesday December 5.

The chaos caused has created unprecedented demand on emergency services supported by councils, mountain rescue volunteers and community centres.  

At Grizedale Forest, approximately 500 vehicles had to be abandoned and people were stranded as they attended a rally car event which had to be cancelled at short notice.

Director of thriving places for Westmorland and Furness Council, Angela Jones, said: “It’s been a major incident involving a number of agencies

"We’ve been deploying all our gritters and our vehicles to make sure we’re clearing the roads, particularly priority routes as quickly as possible to try and make sure the roads are safe.

“We’ve involved over 20 gritters a number of JCBs, heavy duty tractors and ploughs which are working 24/7 and have been throughout the weekend

She said: “take care, check the weather forecast but also traffic information and if you are travelling just make sure you are well prepared. Have warm drinks in the car, boots and warm clothes and really just do take care particularly if you’re going off main routes.”

Reports suggest more than 11.8in (30cm) of snow fell across many places and Ms Jones said the council ‘weren’t expecting such heavy snowfall’.

She added: “I think a number of people were caught out particularly drivers.

“This meant our efforts were hindered to some extent by abandoned vehicles and quite extreme conditions with snow drifts in many different areas so we weren’t expecting that but we were prepared for dealing with snow as we always are.”

As The Mail went to press only a few hundred homes remained without power out of nearly 13,500 impacted by power cuts over the weekend. More than 35 separate damages have been reported on the network

Heroic volunteers and businesses who aided stranded motorists have received widespread praise. 

The Rev Andy Smith, Team Rector of the Loughrigg Benefice, said: “So many groups came together across Ambleside to support these people. It was lovely to see. At first, we had no idea how long people would need to be cared for but by 8pm it became clear that they would be with us overnight.

“The local bakery came forward to provide pasties and sausage rolls, there was soup made and pizzas provided too. We were caring for all ages, from a three-month-old baby and a child who was celebrating their tenth birthday through to a lady who had travelled up to be with family for her 60th birthday.

Ambleside Parish Centre was used as a base for stranded visitors to the area, with volunteers relying on donations from locals to keep those in the shelter warm.

The Community Hall in Grizebeck has received national media attention for the lengths it went to in order to help. people

They explained: "Although, unfortunately, the Christmas Craft Fair and reception for the Furness Charity Santa Tractor Run both had to be postponed, we opened the hall up for stranded motorists, locals and tourists under the 'Warm Spaces' scheme.

In Windermere, Langstone House was opened to the public, whilst 46 people were sheltered by Coniston Sports and Social Centre.

Superintendent Andy Wilkinson, Cumbria Constabulary said: “I would also like to thank everyone involved in this multi-agency response. Long hours have been worked by many people to keep people in Cumbria safe, which is what has been achieved.

“Road conditions continue to be challenging and are expected to remain so this week due to the ongoing cold weather.