Travel warning amid heavy snowfalls

Mar 22 2013

Heavy snow is causing dangerous driving conditions and school closures in some parts of Scotland.

Dumfries and Galloway has been worst-hit by the treacherous conditions, with police in the area advising motorists to stay off the roads.

The force said drivers could face severe delays of up to several hours.

Up to 10 inches of snow has already fallen in exposed parts of the region, where more than 100 schools were closed.

Forecasters have said there is more wintry weather to come for most of the country.

The south-west of Scotland and the Lothians and Borders area have been issued with an amber "be prepared" warning from the Met Office while the Highlands and Western Isles, Grampian, Strathclyde, Tayside, Fife and central Scotland areas are on yellow "be aware" alerts. The warnings are in place until midnight on Saturday.

Thirty-five schools are closed in Aberdeenshire, 10 in Argyll and Bute and 16 across Ayrshire, as well as Dyce Academy in Aberdeen and both Dalgety Bay nursery and primary school in Fife.

Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary said: "Conditions for travel are extremely dangerous and you should avoid the specified roads, and if you do travel you will experience severe disruption. Congestion caused by vehicles may restrict emergency, recovery or winter maintenance vehicles from providing essential assistance or from clearing roads.

"Drivers of HGVs should drive with extreme caution and be aware that you may be requested to park at a suitable position by the police. Winter driving is a question of common sense and drivers should ask themselves if they really need to travel when conditions are poor."

Tayside Police also asked drivers to take extra care in the area, with drifting snow causing some disruption. It said people should make sure their mobile phones are fully charged before travelling and to make sure they have enough fuel, food and water to last them in the event they are delayed for a long time.