Fresh snow brings travel chaos as buses cancelled and airport shut

HEAVY snow brought more travel chaos in the Capital today as all buses were cancelled and the airport closed.

Lothian Buses and First said they were stopping services in the city due to the severity of the weather, while Edinburgh Coach Lines said it was suspending the number 13 service.

The disruption came as Edinburgh Airport closed until at least 6pm, with a further update at 4pm.

A spokesman for Lothian Buses said: "Unfortunately, due to the severity of the bad weather, there will be an interruption to all of our services. This will allow us time to reassess the current situation."

Meanwhile, police are advising motorists against all non-essential travel. There have been a number of reports of vehicles becoming stuck on roads and motorways around the Capital.

A police spokesman said: "This morning we have received a number of reports of cars and lorries experiencing difficulties in the snow, and we are advising motorists against driving unless absolutely necessary.

"If people have to drive, then we advise that they make sure their car is fit for travel and well equipped for the weather. Likewise people should be wary of the road conditions, and exercise caution behind the wheel."

Today's snowfall will continue until mid-afternoon, Met Office forecasters say. It will tail off later in the day, with just a few flurries after around 3pm.

Temperatures will be low overnight, plummeting to -10C in rural areas and -4C in the City Centre. Tomorrow will be cold and dry, with temperatures below freezing, and no more than a few light snow flurries to come for the rest of the week. A slight thaw will arrive on Thursday and Friday.

Forecaster Stuart Brooks said 8cm of snow had fallen at the Gogarbank weather station this morning, with 31cm now lying on the ground.