Police advise motorists not to travel unless ‘absolutely necessary’ after snow leads to car crash and road closure
Andrew Hirst
Police have urged drivers to stay home and only take to the roads for essential journeys after fresh snowfall led to at least one accident in Shetland.
Police Scotland said the A970 near Gulberwick was partially blocked after a car reportedly crashed into a ditch.
Officers received the call at around 10.15am, although the crash is thought to have happened some time earlier.
No one is reported to have been injured. However police said the icy conditions were likely to mean the vehicle’s recovery could take time.
A police spokeswoman said: “Officers are advising members of the public not to travel unless absolutely necessary.”
Police currently trying to clear the road – A970 near Gulberwick – the vehicle is partially blocking the road – there are no reports of any injuries. Due to the heavy snowfall, officers in Lerwick are advising members of the public to travel only if absolutely necessary. pic.twitter.com/u1P4bk0R1u
— Shetland Police (@ShetlandPolice) February 3, 2021
Earlier today, the road in and out of Scalloway was reported to be closed at the Scord, although it is understood to have been cleared and reopened since.
Traffic in Lerwick is also reported to have been affected by the snowy conditions.
On Monday, the SIC announced that with the spell of cold weather expected to continue, its gritters would be using a mix of road salt and grit on all roads outside Lerwick.
Roads manager Dave Coupe asked motorists to drive with caution and reduce speeds.
Have you encountered any road closures this morning? Comment below or email editorial@shetlandtimes.co.uk with your reports.
Charlie Gallagher
The Government bans all travel (unless your name is Bojo) yet Shet Health decree that we have all got to travel into centres in Lerwick for our jabs. I don’t know which vaccine is being used here but I do appreciate that there are difficulties with the Pfizer vaccine given that it has to be stored at minus 70 degs C. Now let’s turn to the SIC and their failure to properly grit the roads especially the side roads and their total failure to use a ‘salt & grit’ mix until yesterday. My wife rightly asks why in the hell do we pay council tax and road tax when we are unable to attend my vaccination appointment and to date two cancelled appointments at Brae Surgery.
Back in September/October, the Health Board carried out highly successful annual flu jabs using a variety of locations – so why the change?
Finally, at least we got a laugh from them when they told us that we’d get ‘free bus travel’ – have they not heard yet of the Pensioners Free Bus Pass, LOL?????