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Buses divert away from 'ice rink' Heysham estate for second day

Thursday, 9 January 2025 07:01

By Greg Lambert X @greglam72

The number 1 bus service from Heysham-Lancaster. Image: Lancaster District Bus Users' Group.

Residents have spoken out after buses had to be diverted due to icy conditions in Heysham for a second day.

Bus company Stagecoach announced on Thursday morning that the 1 and 1A Heysham to Lancaster services would not run via Mossgate Park as usual.

Buses are instead diverting via Mossgate Road to and from the terminus at Heysham Towers as the icy roads at Mossgate Park are unsafe.

The buses also did not operate via Mossgate Park on Wednesday for the same reason. 

Beyond Radio's Facebook page was full of comments from people, with one saying the roads around Mossgate Park were a "disgrace".

Sue said: "It's really bad round our area, it's like an ice rink."

Dave said: "It was treated yesterday but with rain and sleet and then a hard freeze it didn't stand a chance."

Julie said: "The difference between conditions in Heysham to those in Morecambe are huge.

"Trumacar Estate's side roads and pavements are lethal, as are roads off Heysham/Middleton Road. Very dangerous when it's all hills and slopes! Yet it's all clear from Cross Cop onwards."

Kate said: "Was terrible trying to drive on it this morning."

Stagecoach also said on Thursday morning that due to the icy conditions on Balmoral Street and Ayre Street in Lancaster, service 18 will divert via East Road and Wyresdale Road.

The current cold weather snap is due to continue throughout Thursday and into Friday, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing. 

Lancashire County Council gritting teams were out overnight on Wednesday, "treating priority routes".

A Lancashire County Council spokesperson said on Wednesday: "Our gritting teams have been working around the clock during the current cold snap with 4234 tonnes of salt used around the county.

"As well as keeping the main roads clear they have gritted many of the secondary gritting routes around the county where we still have ice and snow on the ground.

"We are working closely with our borough and district partners who are supporting  our gritting actions to treat the busiest pavements in their areas.

"We've also deployed the farmers and agricultural contractors who we have contracts with to clear snow from some of the key rural routes.

"We know many of you have requested grit bin refills and we are working hard to do this as quickly as we can. If you have already requested a grit bin refill you don't need to report it again.

"With the continued freezing weather, untreated surfaces could be icy so take extra care when driving and leave more time for your journey.

"Remember: salt needs traffic to work effectively, it doesn’t instantly melt ice. Roads may stay icy overnight when traffic levels are lower."

Priority roads for gritting are:

  • Non-trunk motorways and 'A' roads which are the main routes across Lancashire
  • 'B' roads which are routes in and out of towns; roads which lead to hospitals, emergency service stations, main employment centres, and important public transport routes
  • Single routes into villages.

For the latest county council gritting updates see here:

https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/winter/gritting/updates/

For the county council gritting map see here.

https://lancashire.gov.uk/winter/gritting/gritting-map/

Beyond Radio has contacted the county council to ask about gritting of Mossgate Park.

A spokesperson said the Mossgate Park area in Heysham is not a priority route and only a small section of road in this area is one of the secondary routes.

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