Capital escapes worst as blizzards disrupt country

LARGE parts of Scotland were hit by sleet and snow today as winter arrived with a vengeance.

Edinburgh appeared to escape the worst, with just a dusting a snow in places.

But motorists venturing beyond the Capital faced white-out conditions in the west and a two-hour queues on the M74 after a lorry jack-knifed near Lesmahagow.

The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for most of Scotland as well as Northern Ireland and parts of northern England.

It said sleet and snow showers would last throughout today, bringing accumulations of snow to some areas, with icy stretches likely to form on untreated surfaces.

Blizzard conditions were reported in parts of western Scotland this morning. Dumfries and Galloway was one of the areas worst hit, with police warning of treacherous conditions and urging motorists to consider their journeys.

Transport Scotland activated a full Multi-Agency Response Team (MART) involving all of its transport partners, including rail, road and Strathclyde Police.

Transport Minister Keith Brown was in the control centre last night and was due to be there again today to view preparations.

The city council said it had 21 gritters and two lorries out yesterday, spreading 178 tonnes of salt. Overnight, there were further gritting operations on key routes.

The M8 was down to one lane near Livingston during this morning’s rush hour and the M74 was later cleared of the jack-knifed lorry, but only after long delays for motorists.

Today’s race meeting at Musselburgh was given the go-ahead after an early morning inspection of the course.

The cold weather is forecast to continue throughout the week, with temperatures around Edinburgh dropping to freezing tomorrow and Thursday, but the Capital looks set to avoid any serious snowfalls.

Forecasters say the east will see long clear spells and a widespread frost, while the west will have some clear spells but with further wintry showers.

Police advised drivers to listen to their local weather forecast before setting out.

Assistant Chief Constable Allan Moffat, of the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland, said: “I would ask people to remember that both damp and snow-affected roads can hide the hidden danger of black ice. Our message is very much aimed at asking motorists to be aware of the dangers and travel with extra caution.”