News / Live: Heavy rain closes roads
10.30am
Eve Eunson just made it to Lerwick from Dunrossness: “No sign of water, tailbacks, queueing traffic, or police. Can’t even tell there’s been excessive rain!” That’s Shetland for you.
10.15am
Shetland Islands Council also confirm that all roads are now completely open, but warn of traffic lights at the Scord, outside Scalloway.
9.45am
Police have confirmed that all roads in Shetland are now clear, though there is single file traffic on the A970 south of Lerwick as stated below.
However police warn drivers to remain careful as there is a lot of surface water about.
They also warn that the forecast is for more heavy thundery showers on Shetland’s east coast.
9.35am
Moira Philip has just told us that the A970 south of Lerwick is now open to single file traffic between the Brindister quarry and the golfing range. She has made it to town from Cunningsburgh, but says there are tailbacks.
9.30am
James Gray from Gulberwick reports that the road past the local kirk has re-opened after the burn burst its banks and closed it for an hour.
9.12am
Shetland Islands Council says no school buses south of Brindister will run. If the road is cleared today pupils must make their own way to school, but there will be a bus to take them home.
9am update:
* The main A970 into Lerwick from the north is passable with care.
* There has been severe flooding and surface water at the Black Gaet junction south of Lerwick is causing problems for drivers, as is the road just north of the Trondra bridge.
* The A970 south of Lerwick remains closed due to landslides, with police keeping the situation under review
* There has been a landslide outside the Scord quarry, but the road is passable
* A house at Hogalee, Scalloway has flooded due to last night’s rain. Fire crews are pumping out water and sand bags have been requested.
* A landslide at Heathery Park, Gulberwick, has caused a domestic oil tank to shift and it has started to leak.
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DRIVERS in Shetland have been asked to stay at home and wait for further updates after heavy rain and landslides flooded a number of key roads.
Police in Lerwick said that the A970 at Gulberwick is currently closed due to flooding and a landslide at Brindister. There is no diversion in place, and the situation is due to be reviewed at 10am.
Also affected by flooding are the Trondra and Burra road (B9074) on the Scalloway side of the Trondra bridge, as is the Black Gaet.
A spokeswoman for the police station in Lerwick advised drivers not to take any risk.
Shetland Islands Council’s roads department is assessing the situation.
A short statement from Northern Constabulary said: “Due to heavy rainfall during the night within Shetland, several roads have now been closed due to landslides and many road surfaces are affected by surface water.
“Police are requesting drivers exercise caution whilst driving in these conditions.”
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