Weather latest: Snow and ice bring disruption to Scotland’s roads

Published on Monday 5 December 2011 10:06

THERE was disruption to commuters this morning as Scotland experienced its first bout of wintry weather, with snow and ice making some roads treacherous.

After a mild November, drivers faced delays after snow and sleet fell overnight.

A fleet of 130 gritters were out overnight to treat roads and 3,000 tonnes of salt were used.

But the M74 in South Lanarkshire was down to one lane southbound after an HGV jack-knifed earlier today.

The A74 in Dumfries and Galloway was also reduced to one lane when another lorry jack-knifed.

Motorists were warned of black ice on the A9 between Plean and Falkirk.

The A809 in Stirling was described as “very icy”, as was the A905 in the Throsk area.

Stornoway airport was closed leading to delays on flights to and from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Benbecula and Aberdeen. It was expected to reopen later. Edinburgh and Glasgow airports were operating normally.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “We’ve already seen some wintry weather across much of Scotland and, while it is not as severe as this time last year, we cannot afford to be complacent.

“Both the Scottish Government Resilience Room and the Multi-Agency Response Team are operational, and I have been in the Traffic Scotland Control Centre throughout the morning.

“A fleet of 130 gritters and winter patrols were out throughout the night to treat roads and we used 3,000 tonnes of salt.

“While we are all working hard to keep Scotland moving and get back to normal where disruption does occur, it’s important the public continue to play their part too. Plan your journey, listen to police advice and check available travel updates.”

The Met Office issued amber alerts – meaning “be prepared” – for the whole of Scotland apart for Grampian, Orkney and Shetland, which are on yellow alert – or “be aware”.

The forecasters said: “Sleet and snow showers will last through Monday, bringing accumulations of snow to some areas. Icy stretches are likely to form on untreated surfaces. The public should be aware that this could lead to travel disruption in places.”

Higher areas could bear the brunt of the snowfall in the Central Belt, such as East Kilbride, Lanark, Biggar and Shotts in Lanarkshire. Temperatures are due to plunge tonight to -5C in rural south and west Scotland, and -2C in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

• For the latest on the roads situation, visit trafficscotland.org

• Do you have pictures of the snow in Scotland? Send them to [e-mail]

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5

Kipling

Monday, December 5, 2011 at 11:42 PM

Fortunately it's too cold for the snails to come out, with all that salt they'd be agoner.

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Tartancult

Monday, December 5, 2011 at 05:40 PM

Fascinating physics lesson, #3 - you do know that people avoid you at parties?

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judgedredd777

Monday, December 5, 2011 at 02:49 PM

What a lot of Poppycock. The snow and icy conditions return. Saturday night snow began to fall in the west area of the city of Edinburgh,Sunday morning most roads slippy, snow covered and untreated and the footways in the same condition. Sunday evening to Monday morning another snow covering of about 2inches and by 11.00 o`clock there was again untreated priority roads and footways. And the politicians and council elected members have promised to, in their words "Pull out all the Stops" to prevent a repeat of last years snow fiasco. They certainly used the correct word "Stop" ........Look out the window and do nothing as usual, oooops its snowing. Nothing has changed from last year, has it, if its going to cost money it wont get dealt with at all. This is the first visit of the Snow Queen and Jack Frost and all the BlaBla has failed again. Keith Brown is no better than Stuart Stevenson when it comes to making a cods of it. And as for their operating providers on the Trunk Road Messers Bear and Amey, they maybe look good on paper but so does a fish supper including the "Salt" that you will find difficult to find on the roads that they are supposed to apply to the road surface at a rate of between 10g per metre sq and 50g per metre sq depending on prevailing conditions, pre grit or snow and if the existing road surface material is SMA (Stone Mastic Asphalt) you double the rate of spread or application to 20g and 100g, if not its Jack Frost and Jack Knife who will grind the road network to a halt. Its all in "The Idiots Guide to Winter Maintenance" if you can read, or in the case of the Scottish Gov and Councils a brail version is available. No excuse, No escape, the courts will decide who is "Jailbait".

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Robert

Monday, December 5, 2011 at 01:19 PM

I was in Edinburgh last year during the "snow" and all the delays it created. From this report, the conditions are again similar. As a New Englander (Connecticut, USA) I find it difficult to understand why Scottish roads are not plowed and the snow removed rather than simply throwing "grit" on top of the snow. The "gritting" might increase some traction initially, but traffic is still slippin' and slidin' through the slush ...

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Aussie Aussie Aussie

Monday, December 5, 2011 at 12:41 PM

"“Both the Scottish Government Resilience Room and the Multi-Agency Response Team are operational, and I have been in the Traffic Scotland Control Centre throughout the morning." Why is it not just the Resilience room or the national control system. It's not as though it's going to be the New Zealand or South African Government resilience room is it?

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