The public are being urged not to travel throughout Thursday in the areas affected by red and amber weather warnings for snow.
A red warning in place across most of central Scotland is due to expire at 10am today. However, the highest level amber warning remains in place across many areas meaning disruption is inevitable. Road conditions will continue to be extremely difficult and potentially dangerous throughout the day.
Rail and bus services will also be subject to significant cancellations through the morning peak and into the afternoon
Humza Yousaf, Minister for Transport, said: “The travel advice in the affected areas today could not be clearer – do not travel unless it is absolutely necessary to do so.
“Even after the red warning is lifted, large parts of Scotland will still be subject to high level amber weather warnings for snow. This should not be underestimated. An amber warning means there is a real possibility that vehicles and drivers will become stranded – something that we have already seen happen during this period of snow.
“I strongly urge people to adhere to police advice by avoiding travel in areas with red and amber warnings. I also encourage employers to be as flexible as possible with their staff, allowing them to stay safe and avoid travel.”
Met Office amber weather warning is described as: “Long delays and cancellations on bus, rail and air travel could occur. Roads may become blocked by deep snow, with many stranded vehicles and passengers. Some rural communities might be cut off for several days. Long interruptions to power supplies and other services such as telephone and mobile networks, could occur.”
A further meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGoRR) was held last night to discuss the response to the severe weather, chaired by the Deputy First Minister John Swinney and attended by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Transport Minister Humza Yousaf.
The Met Office has issued a red warning, which is the highest category of alert, covering Glasgow, Edinburgh, much of the Lothians, the northeast Borders, as well as parts of Fife, Perth and Kinross, Forth Valley, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and Dunbartonshire.
The red warning is expected to end at 10am this morning, but amber warnings will continue across much of Scotland throughout the day.
Scotrail services across the central belt have been cancelled and Edinburgh Airport will be closed until at least lunchtime and Lothian Buses services are also suspended.
In a statement, Lothian Buses said: “Further to the advice from government agencies regarding the red weather warning, services on Lothian, East Coast Buses and Edinburgh Bus Tours continue to be suspended this morning. Airlink 100 will continue to run approximately every 15 minutes.
“We will reassess the situation at 7am and hourly thereafter. Please bear with us, we are doing everything we can. Stay safe, stay informed and check our social feeds for the most up to date information.”
City schools and Edinburgh College also remain closed today.
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