News / Snow closes schools and airports
FALLING and drifting snow caused transport problems on Shetland’s roads and airports on Thursday, as islanders prepared themselves for up to six inches to fall overnight.
Flights in and out of Sumburgh were cancelled or ran late during Thursday morning and the airport had to close altogether during the afternoon as conditions worsened.
At the Scatsta oil airport no helicopters were able to carry workers offshore and only three out of nine fixed wing flights made it off the ground.
Police reported two single vehicle road accidents at Fladdabister and in Lerwick, where a car skidded and crashed into a bollard on the roundabout outside Tesco.
Police warned drivers that roads were slippery and advised them to stay at home unless their journey was essential.
The weather closed three schools in the morning at Uyeasound, Baltasound and Unst. The schools at Mossbank and Olnafirth closed at lunchtime and children at Skeld, Sandness and Happyhansel, in Walls, were sent home early at 2.30pm.
The council will decide in the morning whether or not the schools will open on Friday.
Shetland Islands Council’s roads department said that all the islands’ 23 gritter trucks were busy on Thursday and there was plenty of salt available to grit the roads.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
