The Environment Agency says the illegal stockpiling of waste tyres is on the rise across Yorkshire, bringing with it a risk of fires that put communities and the environment at risk.

Image source, Environment Agency

A fall in the value of used tyres combined with a significant increase in cost of export to markets such as India has seen a marked increase in illegal stockpiling of waste tyres across the region, often in an unsafe manner that increases the risk of fire, the agency said.

Its enforcement officers are now carrying out random spot checks of businesses throughout Yorkshire in a bid to tackle the risk of a major fire incident associated with illegally stockpiled waste tyres.

Environment Agency area environment manager, Fran Lowe said, “We are urging garages and other businesses to ensure that their used tyres are being collected and disposed of by businesses registered and permitted to do so.

"Tyre collectors who charge low prices, irrespective of having a carriers licence, may be illegally stockpiling.”

Most of Yorkshire has seen snow today.

As difficult as it is to get around in, sometimes when it falls on our beautiful county it only adds to the fantastic area we live in.

Take a look below:

An appeal to find a driver who forced another vehicle off the road in the North York Moors National Park has been launched.

Image source, Google

A grey BMW 1 series was forced off the road by the driver of a black Audi TT Quattro on the A169 between Pickering and Whitby, at about 14:25 on Friday 29 January, according to North Yorkshire Police.

The Audi was travelling from Pickering towards Whitby and the BMW was travelling in the opposite direction, police said.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or saw the Audi being driven dangerously in the area at the time is asked to contact police.

Officers say they're also keen to speak to the driver of a Ford Transit which travelled from Pickering towards Whitby and was overtaken by the Audi.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Work on a £5.8m “sports village” in Wyke is to begin soon, with the main contractor having been appointed.

Image source, Bradford City Council

Wyke Community Sports Village will see new football and rugby pitches, as well as a cycle track and cyclo-cross facilities, built at the former Wyke Manor school site.

Contractors William Birch & Sons Ltd have been selected to develop the site, and work will start in the spring.

The development is the first of the district’s three multi-sports hubs to be delivered as part of the council’s Sports Pitches Investment Programme.

The other two hubs will be based at Myra Shay sports grounds off Barkerend Road in Bradford and Marley Playing Fields, just outside Keighley.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, said: “We are thrilled a contractor has been appointed and construction of Wyke Community Sports Village will start soon.

“This will be a great facility for the people of south Bradford and the whole district."

Thirteen flood warnings, external - meaning immediate action should be taken as flooding is expected - are in place in Yorkshire.

Image source, Environment Agency

The warnings include:

• Groundwater flooding in Barrow upon Humber, external
• Low lying properties in the Upper Hull catchment, external
• North Sea at Scarborough - North Bay, external
• River Aire at Allerton Ings, Barnsdale Road and Properties, external
• River Aire at Hirst Marsh and West Marsh, external
• River Aire at Newton and Fairburn, external
• River Derwent at Buttercrambe Mill, external
• River Derwent at Stamford Bridge - The Weir Caravan Park and Kexby Bridge, external
• River Hull at Hull Bridge and Beverley, external
• River Ouse at Naburn Lock, external
• River Ouse at York - riverside properties, external
• River Ouse at York - St George's Field and Queen's Staith, external
• Roam Drain and River Hull at Hempholme, external

There are also 22 flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible, be prepared - currently in place on Yorkshire's rivers.

The Environment Agency says it is "closely monitoring the situation".

Image source, Met office

The Met Office has issued an amber "be prepared" weather warning for snow across much of South and East Yorkshire, in place until 14:00 today., external

A yellow "be aware" warning for snow in North and West Yorkshire is in place until 23:59 on Wednesday 10 February.

A man remains in hospital in a critical condition following a fire in Sheffield yesterday.

Image source, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

About 40 firefighters were called to a row of shops on Chesterfield Road, Woodseats, to reports of a serious fire.

A man was taken to hospital with serious injuries, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said.

Firefighters at the scene thanked local businesses for supplying drinks and sandwiches while they worked.

A police cordon remains in place today while officers conduct inquiries, South Yorkshire Police said.

Image source, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

Work is due to begin today to turn Hull City Hall into a mass Covid-19 vaccination centre.

Image source, Geograph/Ian S

Currently the nearest Covid-19 mass vaccination centre is 40 miles away in York.

Other mass vaccination centres in Yorkshire are operating in Wakefield, Sheffield, Bradford, Huddersfield and Leeds.

No official opening date for the Hull venue has been confirmed.

Dr Anne Jefferies, chair of the East Riding Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "It's right in the city centre so people will be able to go and get their vaccine there.

"It's great news and just like during the first wave the national contact centre will be in touch with individuals about appointments."

York's assistant director of public health says the opening of a rapid Covid-19 testing site at the city's new Community Stadium means the city will now be able to test "about 10,000 people a week".

Image source, YorkMix

The site, at the stadium's leisure complex at Monks Cross, is open from today to people who live and work in York who can't work from home.

The stadium, along with sites at York St John University and the University of York, is offering tests to residents, workers, students and staff who are eligible.

York's assistant director of public health, Fiona Philips, says: "With the stadium and our other testing sites we'll now be able to do up to 10,000 tests a week."

Ms Phillips said: " Basically if you can't follow the stay at home, work from home guidance, because of your job you can get a test.

"The other group of people who we'd like to come forward to be tested is people who have to provide care to somebody who is vulnerable."

Other people eligible to be tested at the site include secondary school pupils in York advised to be tested by schools and staff at either of the city's universities.

A woman suffered "serious injuries" in an attack in a ginnel in Leeds, police say.

Image source, Google

The woman and a man were walking on Lenton Drive in Beeston at about 08:25 on Wednesday 3 February, according to West Yorkshire Police.

The woman was then found injured at 09:00 outside the Spinning Wheel pub on Admiral Street, police said.

A 37-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the assault and bailed while an investigation takes place.

Anyone who was in the area at the time and saw the man and woman walking together is being asked to contact police.

The woman was wearing a grey puffer coat with fur hood.

The man was wearing a black puffer coat with fur hood, black baseball cap, jeans and light coloured trainers, carrying a black rucksack.

Officers say they're also keen to speak to a man who was seen on CCTV with a red bag walking out of the ginnel.

Coronavirus vaccination appointments at Sheffield Arena are still going ahead despite snow overnight, a spokesperson for the venue has said.

Image source, PA Media

A Met Office amber weather warning, external is in place with heavy snow forecast for the region.

Writing on social media Sheffield Hospitals said: "Vaccination appointments are still going ahead today at Sheffield Arena.

"However we do not want anyone to put themselves at risk if they feel it is not safe to travel due to the snow."

Instructions to people who are unable to make their appointment at the vaccination centre can be found by clicking this link., external

A new mass Covid-19 vaccination centre has opened at Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium site.

Image source, PA Media

It's been operating as a hospital hub for the past fortnight, vaccinating front-line health and care workers.

From today it'll be open to the general public, starting with the over-70s.

Mewa Singh Khela (pictured), 72, was vaccinated with his first dose of the coronavirus vaccine at the centre earlier this morning.

All vaccinations are by appointment only, said the NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group.

The opening of the Elland Road centre brings the number of mass vaccination centres in the region to four, with others in Bradford, Huddersfield and Wakefield.

Meanwhile, free public transport to and from coronavirus vaccination appointments is being offered to bus pass holders in West Yorkshire from today.

People who get free off-peak travel - older and disabled people - will be able to use their passes any time, West Yorkshire Combined Authority said.

BBC Weather

Today will be bitterly cold with a brisk easterlies wilnd.

Snow showers could become prolonged in places.

Tonight will remain very cold and mostly cloudy, although some brief clear spells could develop at times.

Snow showers will contuse drifting in from the east, sometimes heavy.

An investigation is continuing this morning following a fire in a row of shops in Sheffield.

Image source, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service

One person was taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a row of shops on Chesterfield Road, at about 10.30 yesterday.

Seven fire engines and the air ambulance were called to the shops, which have flats above.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Heavy snowfall is forecast for South and East Yorkshire, with weather warnings in force.

Image source, Mazymixer

The Met Office has issued an amber "be prepared" weather warning for snow across much of South and East Yorkshire, with a Yellow warning "be aware" for snow, external issued for North and West Yorkshire.

It says: "Frequent heavy snow showers will lead to some travel disruption today."

Image source, Met Office

Meanwhile, Eleven flood warnings, external - meaning immediate action should be taken as flooding is expected - are in place in Yorkshire.

Image source, Environment Agency

The warnings include:

• Low lying properties in the Upper Hull catchment, external
• North Sea at Sandsend, external
• River Aire at Allerton Ings, Barnsdale Road and Properties, external
• River Aire at Hirst Marsh and West Marsh, external
• River Aire at Newton and Fairburn, external
• River Derwent at Buttercrambe Mill, external
• River Derwent at Stamford Bridge - The Weir Caravan Park and Kexby Bridge, external
• River Hull at Hull Bridge and Beverley, external
• River Ouse at Naburn Lock, external
• River Ouse at York - riverside properties, external
• River Ouse at York - St George's Field and Queen's Staith, external

There are also 25 flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible, be prepared - currently in place on Yorkshire's rivers.

The Environment Agency says it is "closely monitoring the situation."

Further rain and snow is forecast over the next few days and river levels are expected to remain high.