Chaos on roads as region hit by heavy snowfall
Residents across Perth and Kinross struggled with the weather conditions yesterday as up to eight inches of snow was dumped on the region overnight.
Even low lying parts saw snowfall of up to four inches, causing transport chaos and closing some schools to those children who are still attending.
And it promoted concerns over elderly people getting to COVID-19 vaccination appointments.
Cllr Eric Drysdale said: “This severe winter weather today could scarcely have come at a worse time.
“Not only will key workers be struggling to get in to their place of work and social care workers having to try to get to people living at home who are dependent on them, but also there will be older citizens with vaccination appointments today but quite possibly unable to get out their front door.
“I know that the council staff are doing all they can to clear main routes as fast as they can, and I am so grateful for all the efforts of all these NHS, social care and PKC staff to deal with this situation.
“Mother Nature is throwing just about everything at us right now, it truly is a perfect storm, but together, we will get through this as a community.”
An amber weather forecast had been issued for much of the region, while the whole of Perth and Kinross was under a yellow warning.
Snow ploughs were used on category one roads to try and make them safe for vehicles. In Perth, cars were seen struggling to get out of driveways as the snow made conditions tricky.
The snow was so bad that Viewlands Road in Perth had to be closed to traffic, despite having been gritted, and the Friarton Bridge had to be closed early on Thursday morning after an accident.
Enterprising parents were seen transporting their children on sledges, but key workers were left scrambling as 18 schools were forced to close or part close. While the majority of pupils are learning remotely, some are still permitted in the buildings.
Perth and Kinross Council said priority routes had been treated on Wednesday while a night shift had continued that work overnight into Thursday morning.
Crews were instructed to move on to low category roads where possible, but this was “dependent upon the weather throughout the day,” according to a council spokesperson.
Footway crews were also working on priority routes in all areas.
A yellow warning is in place for Perth and Kinross on Saturday from 3am until 9pm.