Similar story in Angus and some roads forced to shut

The ‘beast from the east’ is maintaining its icy grip across Angus and the Mearns, with schools remaining closed today.

The weather has caused chaos in the county with several roads closed or only passable with care.

Angus Council mobile library services were cancelled, and bus firm MW Nichol took to social media to suspend a number of routes.

Teejay Travel services covering Dundee-Monifieth-Monikie were not operating, and JP Minicoaches were operating only between Forfar and Glamis.

The B9128 Draffin to Crombie road was closed due to drifting snow, as was the B978 Draffin to Lucky Slap and Monikie to Lucky Slap roads.

A fallen tree closed the road at Lochmill near Kirriemuir, with drifting snow making conditions treacherous on the A933 Arbroath to Brechin road.

As well as school closures, Dundee and Angus College took the decision to close all of its campuses and outreach centres, forcing interviews to be rescheduled.

The misery looks set to continue as the Met Office extended its severe Amber warning, which will now run until 10am today, urging travellers to avoid all but absolutely essential travel.

A heating system failure forced Angus Council to close the Town House and ACCESS Office in Montrose, with residents asked to call the access line or go online for information.

Also in Montrose, the Angus Citizens Advice Bureau was forced to close its doors.

In the Mearns, Laurencekirk and Stonehaven recycling centres were all closed.

One Angus councillor urged caution and also heaped praise on council staff.

Arbroath East and Lunan Conservative councillor Derek Wann said: “First of all, I would urge people to heed the warnings and not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary.

“Although the Red warnings are confined to the central belt, snow drifting off the fields is causing a real headache for many motorists and creating treacherous conditions.

“I would also ask people to keep an eye out for their neighbours, especially those who are elderly and vulnerable.

“I would also like to extend my gratitude to the hard-working council staff who really have gone the extra mile in such adverse weather conditions, ensuring roads are gritted and doing everything possible to deliver essential services.”

Angus Council’s chief executive, Margo Williamson, said: “I am tremendously proud of all our staff and partner agencies for the work they are carrying out to try to ensure services are running as smoothly as possible in this adverse weather.

“There is still work to do. Our planning and preparation for the days to come is continues during this severe weather spell.”

Gritters and ploughs had been out across Angus since 5am working to keep the county’s priority routes clear.