The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Angus and Mearns close all schools due to snow
The “Beast from the East” sharpened its claws and brought widespread disruption to Angus and the Mearns yesterday.
Snow and ice closed schools and put the brakes on school transport and sparked a series of accidents.
In Angus all school transport was cancelled due to the adverse weather and all schools were to close today.
Yesterday, 17 of the county’s schools – Aberlemno, Airlie, Arbirlot, Birkhill, Carmyllie, Eassie, Inverarity, Isla, Letham, Mattocks, Monikie, Murroes, Newbigging, Newtyle, Strathmartine, Tannadice and Tealing – were forced to shut.
And last night, the council announced that would extend to all schools today.
They tweeted: “Due to deteriorating and unpredictable conditions and assessment of road conditions this evening we will be closing all schools tomorrow (1 March). Apologies for any inconvenience.”
In the Mearns there were school closures in Auchenblae, Fettercairn, Glenbervie, Johnshaven, Laurencekirk, Luthermuir and Marykirk.
There were long tailbacks on the A90 after a Royal Mail lorry came off the road following an accident near Happas around 8.15am.
The southbound carriageway of the Dundee to Aberdeen road was reduced to one lane with the back of the stricken vehicle blocking the outside lane.
A police spokeswoman said: “We attended at the A90 between Dundee and Forfar after reports of a road traffic collision involving two lorries. “There are no reports of injuries.” Police said the accident was just one of many “minor road traffic collisions” in the area.
The snow and freezing temperatures also resulted in widespread disruption to bin collections.
Vehicles were initially despatched from depots in Angus but found it difficult to carry out their duties due to the severe winter weather.
With the bad weather forecast to continue, Angus Council has warned that there is likely to be further disruption to services in the coming days. Kirriemuir Recycling Centre was also forced to close due to safety concerns regarding access in and out of the site.
There was also a touch of irony as the Forfar Ice Rink was forced to close was forced to close due to the bad weather.
Margo Williamson, Angus Council chief executive, said: “I am tremendously proud of our staff and partner agencies for the work they have carried out throughout today to ensure services are running as smoothly as possible in the adverse weather.
“We have received compliments today with regards to our staff going well beyond their remit to offer a helping hand to people who are trying to run their businesses in what are challenging circumstances, or get support to others.
“There is still work to do. Our planning and preparation for the days to come is ongoing as this severe weather spell is predicted to continue.”