More icy roads

DRIVERS in Shetland are being warned of more black ice overnight on Friday after several vehicles skidded off roads throughout the isles in the early hours of the morning.

An unexpected drop in temperature meant the main roads in the isles were not pre-treated with salt on Thursday night before gritters headed out at 6am on Friday morning.

Police started receiving reports of cars having left the road just after midnight, with two more reported by 4am when council road inspectors started work and discovered freezing conditions.

The police were aware of three cars off the main A970 in Gulberwick and Girlsta, though other vehicles ended up in ditches, including a gritter at Tumblin that his black ice.

There were no reports of any injuries.

Shetland Islands Council said the detailed Met Office forecast they subscribe to suggested road surface temperatures would stay around 4-5° until 6am, leaving them wrong footed when it came to organising the gritters.