A six axle HGV on its way to Updale on 13 February, having come down Chimney Bank and discovering that there was no way through the narrow High Bridge at Bridgefoot. As usual, satnav was the excuse for the driver not reading the warning signs at the Spaunton Moor road junction and again at Bank Top. The result was he had to reverse all the way back up to the Lookout and then drive up Chimney Bank!

… or the perils of not reading the danger signs and not using common sense when the Bank is covered with ice and snow. There were two accidents today, the first occurring overnight and then another this morning which resulted in the Yorkshire Air Ambulance being called out, along with the Fire and Rescue Service and the normal ambulance.

Remember, stay away from Chimney Bank in wintry conditions, no matter how well you think you know the hill, if you want to avoid being the fifth incident so far this winter. No-one seriously hurt this time, but please support the Yorkshire Air Ambulance – you never know, you might need it sometime!

Chimney Bank has been closed until further notice because of a serious crash on the hill on Friday morning 8 December. The BATA feed lorry skidded on frozen snow and crashed just above the first hairpin on the hill, shedding its load of cattle feed.

Fortunately the driver only suffered a broken ankle and was taken off to Scarborough Hospital.

In view of the conditions on the Bank and the forecasted very bad weather, the recovery crews told the police and Highways on site that it would be unsafe to attempt a recovery until the weather improves. So the Bank is closed until further notice – watch this space and our social media for further reports.

Work on the Land Of Iron project continues apace in Rosedale. The repair done to the track at Stone Kilns is greening up nicely and will be barely visible from a distance by this time next year:

New, bigger interpretation boards have been placed at the three kiln sites:

Work is currently ongoing to clear the upsteam entrance to the major culvert under Reeking Gill to prevent the dangerous build up of water behind the embankment:

The repair to the trackway at the stone kilns at East Mines is maturing nicely with the grass that was seeded in the sandbags now sprouting well.

Most of the major work at East mines is now complete. The new trackway will be resurfaced by Wednesday and with luck and good weather the site will be re-instated by the weekend.