Weather alert: all schools closed

All schools, youth clubs, Shetland College, the Eric Gray Resource Centre and the Bridges project are closed today (Tuesday) due to the overnight snow. The NAFC Marine Centre is open as normal.

All roads are reported to be passable with care although some side roads are best to be avoided due to icy conditions and blowing snow.

The wintry weather subsequently has an impact on public transport.

The council said the 7.10am service to Levenwick had to turn back at Sandwick, with the next bus attempting to go beyond Sandwick leaving the Viking bus station at 9am.

Meanwhile the Vidlin service will turn back at Laxo and without going to Vidlin due to road conditions.

• Other public transport disruptions:the 8am service from Aith to Lerwick has been cancelled and the Sumburgh service is unable to access side roads;
• the 7.55am Burra feeder has been cancelled;
• the Skeld shopper service has also been cancelled
• and Sumburgh airport is now hoping to open at 11am. For live flight updates see www.hial.co.uk/sumburgh-airport/ 

Airport manager Nigel Flaws said:”We had a heavy snow shower last night and then it froze during the night. We are getting the runway back to black but one end of it is still frozen and we have to wait for the deicing agent to work.”

There are further snow showers expected during the day. For a detailed weather forecast go to http://www.shetnews.co.uk/weather/