News / Take care on the roads, police warn

THE POLICE is advising people to be extremely careful on the roads this evening (Wednesday) due to snow and strong winds.

The Met Office has a yellow warning of ice in place for Shetland and the north of Scotland until 10am tomorrow morning.

Driving conditions in the Kames were also described as “horrendous” late this afternoon.

Several cars have already gone off the road with snow lying several inches deep in places. Police also confirmed that there was a minor one-vehicle crash on the A970 near Voe this morning.

The council’s roads manager Dave Coupe said: “Our gritting crews have been busy all day but the application of road salt relies on passing traffic to crush and spread it onto the road surface.

“Despite our efforts, there is a chance of icy patches in some locations.  It is bitterly cold outside and with continued snow showers expected too, lying snow will build up in places.  If they need to travel on the roads tonight, we’d ask drivers to take care and slow down.”

There have also been some snow-related cancellations and closures.

Shetland Arts’ Herkja gig at the Vidlin Hall tonight has been called off, while the Clickimin pool and health suite closed early to allow staff to travel home safely.