News / Gales bring disruptions with high winds, ice and snow
MONDAY’s hazardous driving conditions have resulted in a number of minor road accidents including two buses operated by R. Robertson & Sons sliding off the road near Sandwick and at Walls.
No passengers were on board either of the buses and drivers escaped uninjured.
A dashcam video sent in by a reader, meanwhile, showed difficult driving conditions near the Black Gaet and the Gulberwick road earlier on Monday.
Shetland Islands Council said gritters have been out on the roads treating roads and clearing snow where necessary. People have been advised to drive with caution.
Most bus and inter-island ferry services were suspended earlier in the day but are slowly coming back on service.
However, the wintry conditions are forecast to continue overnight into Tuesday with snow, ice and strong winds expected to cause some snow drifts on the roads.
The Met Office has extended the Yellow Weather Warning into tomorrow morning. Both NorthLink passenger ferries are cancelled again.
Meanwhile, Tuesday’s Covid vaccination clinic, scheduled for the Independent Living Centre at Gremista, has been postponed because of the high risk of bad weather.
The clinic will be rescheduled, and everyone will be contacted to arrange a new appointment time.
A number of shops in Lerwick have also decided not to open today and the Sumburgh Head visitor centre has also been closed due to the weather – just days after reopening for the season.
The operators said due to “extreme weather and for the safety of staff and visitors”, the centre and the Unken Kaffee will be closed today (Monday).
There have also been some power cuts reported in the isles. SSE said 200 properties lost power in the Hillswick area, with staff hoping to have everyone back on by 11am.
There was also a power cut in the Sumburgh area at 3.45am, initially affecting 305 customers. SSE hopes to have supply back for all by 10.30am.
The council said it has not been possible to collect non-recyclable rubbish from households in Dunrossness and Levenwick today.
Council staff will attempt to collect these tomorrow morning instead (Tuesday) and householders are asked to place their black bags out for collection from 7.30am.
For the latest forecast, visit the Shetland News weather page here.
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