Stay home, stay alert plea to Highland public as amber snow alert prompts multi-agency response; People asked to play part as Met Office forecasters warn of potential for disruption
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MEMBERS of the public in the Highlands are being urged to keep up-to-date with local weather forecasts and try to avoid anything other than essential travel between 3pm today and Sunday.
The Met Office yesterday issued an Amber Alert for snow which is expected to affect large areas of Scotland, including parts of the Highlands.
The alert was extended to include today earlier.
Representatives from Police Scotland, Highland Council, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, NHS Highland, BEAR Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service met yesterday and discussions should provide reassurance to the public that agencies are aware of the forecast and will work together to deal with any impact of heavy snow on Highland communities.
People are urged to keep up to date with local weather forecasts and try to avoid anything other than essential travel from the early hours of Friday and Sunday. The lockdown will naturally limit the amount of traffic on Highland roads anyway, but those who do require to go out for essential reasons are urged to plan ahead, drive according to the conditions and stay safe.
Road Policing Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock said: "Government restrictions on only travelling if your journey is essential remains in place and so with an Amber warning for snow, please consider if your journey really is essential and whether you can delay it until the weather improves.
"If you deem your journey really is essential, plan ahead and make sure you and your vehicle are suitably prepared by having sufficient fuel and supplies such as warm clothing, food, water and charge in your mobile phone in the event you require assistance.
"The Met Office, Traffic Scotland and SEPA websites and social media channels have valuable information about weather disruptions and we would encourage people to check these sites before setting off on their journey."
A spokesperson for Highland Council said: “Our teams are aware of the forecasted snow and the council is working hard to deliver winter gritting and snow clearing services despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic. Recognising the challenges being faced by the NHS, it is important that people heed the weather warnings, and plan appropriately for essential journeys only. Services will be prioritised at keeping lifeline routes open and endeavouring to ensure safe travel for essential workers.
“If communities are able to assist in providing enhanced or more localised services, there is an opportunity for salt to be delivered to locations along with equipment to assist in spreading. The link on the Council’s web-site gives further information, and any community or resilience groups who have capacity to help to get in touch and the Council’s local teams will help advise on appropriate locations for salt storage. https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/20005/roads_and_pavements/99/roads_information/7.”
Local humanitarian hubs continue to operate in remote areas of Highland to ensure the most vulnerable in our communities have access to food and medical supplies and to respond to any impacts caused by loss of power.
The council has recently invested in 10 new winter gritting vehicles to replace some of the aging fleet and brings the Council’s winter fleet to 105 Gritters, 42 Footpath tractors, and a snowblower with over 200 staff who spread around 50,000 tonnes of salt on Highlands roads and pavements in a typical winter.
Dr Tim Allison, NHS Highland’s Director of Public Health, said: “We would encourage people to limit travel as much as possible, both to comply with the Covid-19 guidance on staying at home and to ensure they stay safe during this period of severe weather. However, if you must travel for essential purposes please take care and allow plenty time for your journey.
“We would also encourage people across Highland to look out for their neighbours during this time, especially older and vulnerable people in your community. The isolation which the pandemic has caused can be exacerbated during this spell of challenging weather and we need to pull together to support each other during these difficult times.
“Should you require urgent care, the NHS 24 telephone service on 111 will be available day or night to assess people’s needs and direct the public to the right service for them.
“During normal opening hours you should still call your GP Practice for urgent care or get online help from a wide range of information and resources on NHS inform.
“This will help you to get the right care in the right place, which could well be closer to home and without the need to travel to A&E. In emergencies, you should continue to call 999 or go directly to A&E.”
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's Local Senior Officer for Highland, Derek Wilson, said: “We would echo the advice for members of the public to keep up-to-date with the latest weather warnings, travel advice and road conditions.
“We are here to protect communities during these challenging times. With many of us spending more time at home there can be an increased risk of fire. We recommend that householders take some time out of their day to check their surroundings are safe by using the SFRS online Home Fire Safety Checklist.
"Unplug or switch off portable heaters when you go out or go to bed. If you have a chimney please ensure it has a certified sweep at least once a year, twice a year if it's burning bituminous coal or peat. Last but not least, ensure you have a working smoke alarm.”
Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s North East Operating company representative, said: "Our teams have already been working hard dealing with the recent snow and cold temperatures, and we’re preparing for the next weather front moving in.
"We’ve got up to 90 winter vehicles available across our areas in the north east and north west of Scotland, and our highly experienced team will be working round the clock to keep routes clear for those making essential journeys and deliveries. Our 24/7 control room team will also be monitoring conditions across the trunk road network.
"We would urge motorists to play their part by following the Government guidelines regarding essential travel, ensuring they plan ahead before setting off, ensuring they leave in plenty of time and that their vehicle is adequately equipped with emergency supplies. It is essential to drive to conditions at all times and to check Traffic Scotland for the most up to date information ahead of your journey."
Related: Two Ross-shire roads closed by snow
