SNOW, sleet and high winds from Storm Doris yesterday brought travel chaos and school closures to Scotland.
Key routes such as the M80, M90 and A9 were among the worst-hit by the treacherous driving conditions, causing significant traffic delays.
Part of the M80 even had to close for a time to allow police to recover vehicles which had been unable to negotiate a hill and there were two jack-knifed lorries near Haggs. Near Stirling, a gritter lorry overturned on the A811 between Buchlyvie and the junction with the A875.
Councils in Aberdeenshire, Stirling, Falkirk and Perth and Kinross reported school closures in their area, while the decision was taken to cancel all school transport in the Borders for the day.
The Met Office had issued amber “be prepared” notices for snow across the central belt, the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Tayside and Fife until last night – warnings which were later downgraded to the yellow “be aware” level across Scotland.
People were told to expect snow accumulations of 3 centimetres to 6cm above 200 metres. At low levels, including the central belt, up to 3cm was possible in places. The Met Office last night issued widespread warnings for ice, alerts which were to be extended into this morning. They said icy stretches will form on many untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.
“Temperatures will fall quickly and untreated surfaces will freeze, with ice forming, especially in areas with snow cover,” officials said.
Met Office spokesman Ollie Claydon said: “Snow has been causing quite a bit of disruption on the roads. As the Doris system moves off to the east, there will be clear skies, so there is a warning of ice valid until 9am [today].”
Police Scotland said its officers have been patrolling the roads which had been affected by the weather.
The M80 was shut early yesterday between Auchenkilns at junction six and Pirnhill services, junction nine, at Bannockburn to let road policing officers recover vehicles that had been unable to negotiate the hill at Bankhead. It had reopened before midday. The snow gates were also closed in both directions on the Banchory to Fettercairn route.
Some Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services were also affected by the weather.
Roads maintenance company BEAR Scotland said it had more than 50 vehicles on routes throughout the north-east, north-west and the M80, patrolling and carrying out treatments.
A spokesman said: “As ever, we ask members of the public to ensure their vehicle is well maintained, that they pay close attention to local and national media and information to help plan journeys during inclement weather, and that they carry equipment to help themselves should conditions deteriorate.”
On a lighter note, Falkirk defender David McCracken fitted in a spot of training while he was stuck in a traffic jam on the M80. The footballer posted a video of his snowy workout on Instagram.
Storm Doris is the first major winter weather front for two months.
The north of the country was worst affected last year, with homes losing power when Storm Conor hit on Boxing Day with 90 mph winds.
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