M74 back on the move after rescue drama
MOUNTAIN rescue teams had to be drafted in to help stranded motorists as snowfall brought the M74 to a complete standstill last night while drivers across Glasgow and Scotland prepare to battle a second day of Arctic conditions.
More than 200 motorists and lorry drivers had been stranded overnight after snow and ice brought treacherous driving conditions, with some forced to abandon cars on the carriageway.
Mountain rescue volunteers checked on drivers stuck in vehicles after heavy snow hit the area throughout last night and today.
Traffic Scotland closed parts of the motorway in Lanarkshire in both directions for a number of hours – with tailbacks stretching back for six miles.
Shortly after 8am, however, Traffic Scotland confirmed the M74 was open again in both directions.
A spokesperson added: “Southbound traffic is still very slow but it is moving in the area so please allow extra time for your journey.
“Thanks to all the operating partners involved in getting the road reopened this morning.”
Scotland TranServ was still warning motorists of slow-moving traffic on the M74 Southbound from junction eight due to abandoned vehicles.
Motorists in and around the city took to social media to share tales of their car journeys.
Meanwhile, one Twitter user posted images of cars struggling on a stretch of road near Inverclyde Royal Hospital.
She wrote: “7.45am cars are everywhere trying to get up hospital road. Be safe.”
Another driver in Glasgow warned of the dangers of not clearing snow off car roofs, as she described how she almost witnessed an accident.
She wrote: “Stay safe anyone who is travelling around Scotland today. Just had a guy in front of me on the M8 swerve across lanes and emergency stop in the middle of the motorway because the snow on the roof fell onto his windscreen. Take time to clear all the snow off your car.”
More than a dozen schools and nurseries in South Lanarkshire were forced to close for the day, while around five had a later start.
Bus operators Whitelaw, McDades, Photoflash, and Richland were unable to collect pupils from key locations in the area.
All schools and nurseries in North Lanarkshire, Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire, and Renfrewshire were open.
East Dunbartonshire’s decision, however, sparked an angry reaction from some parents in the area, who bombarded the council’s Twitter page with dozens of messages and images of treacherous paths around the area’s schools.
One parent posted: “Absolutely the wrong decision. You clearly state conditions are treacherous and yet you expect children of all ages to have to make their way to school. Appalling.”
Another added: “Poor decision. The conditions are no better than last night and you are encouraging your staff and parents to risk their safety by travelling.”
Police Scotland said travel conditions remained “extremely poor” and emergency services had been working overnight to resolve issues.