The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Weather brings much of region to a standstill
Schools throughout Perth and Kinross will remain closed today after a row blew up yesterday over teacher attendance.
Pupils were told to stay at home yesterday but staff were encouraged to attend schools.
Travel remained hazardous across the region and most bus services were cancelled while those that were running were hit by delays.
Perth and Kinross Council axed a meeting of the full council on Wednesday which was set to discuss a £20 million development of Perth City Hall.
However, teachers were then told to turn up for work as normal, or make their way to the closest school to their home if they were unable to.
Teachers were left furious, with one – who asked not to be named – stating: “It’s quite true that there’s always plenty to get on with – planning, marking, organisation and the like.
“But if it’s too unsafe for councillors to come into Perth for a meeting, how can they possibly ask staff to travel across the region to go to work when they’ve shut those places of work for safety reasons?
“Add to that the fact that vast numbers of teachers have school age children themselves and as such have to look after those kids when the schools are closed, it’s a nonsense.
“Those of us who haven’t been able to make it in today are worried we won’t get paid.
“The roads department are doing everything they can but it’s quite simply not safe out there.”
A Perth and Kinross Council spokeswoman said the council meeting was cancelled because councillors would have to travel from across the region to attend.
She added: “No one is being asked to take risks with their safety. We have asked everyone to consider their own location, mode of transport, and distance to travel when determining whether they can get to work.
“If they cannot then they should contact their line manager to discuss their situation, and the requirements of their workplace.”
Schools will be
Those of us who haven’t been able to make it in today are worried we won’t get paid
closed to staff and
pupils today, a decision taken amid widespread disruption. Perth College will also remain closed today.
A number of roads were closed due to drifting snow, particularly in Kinrossshire, and the A93 at the Spittal of Glenshee remained closed for the day.
Drifting snow affected the A90 between Perth and Dundee, which was down to one lane and eerily quiet during the morning rush hour.
A number of major businesses and offices shut early.
Council bin crews were redeployed to clear snow from footpaths within town centres.
The Ochils Mountain Rescue Team remained on standby after helping as part of a multi-agency response to motorists stranded in their vehicles on the M80 between Stirling and Glasgow overnight into Thursday.