Public agencies in Highlands gearing up to deal with incoming 'severe' weather

Residents in the Highlands are being urged to keep up-to-date with local weather forecasts and to avoid anything other than essential travel from later this afternoon until Sunday.

The Met Office yesterday issued an Amber Alert for snow which is expected to affect large areas of Scotland and has now been extended to include later today.

Representatives from Police Scotland, Highland Council, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, NHS Highland, BEAR Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service met yesterday to discuss contingency plans.

They are reassuring the public that they are aware of the forecast and will work together to deal with any impact of heavy snow on local communities.

The public is urged to keep up-to-date with local weather forecasts and try to avoid anything other than essential travel once heavy snow arrives.

Police Scotland said the lockdown will naturally limit the amount of traffic on the region's roads but those who do require to go out for essential reasons are urged to plan ahead, drive according to the conditions and stay safe.

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."

Local humanitarian hubs continue to operate in remote areas of Highland to ensure the most vulnerable in 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 its ageing fleet.

The additions bring the local authority’s winter fleet to 105 gritters, 42 footpath tractors and one snowblower with more than 200 staff.

Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s North East operating company representative, said they will be working hard to keep trunk roads as clear as possible: "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."

Dr Tim Allison, NHS Highland’s Director of Public Health, echoed the safety message and also urged people to be good neighbours.

He 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...

"We would also encourage people across Highland to look out for their neighbours during this time, especially older and vulnerable people in the 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 people should still call their GP Practice for urgent care or get online help from a wide range of information and resources on NHS inform.

“This will help 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, the public should continue to call 999 or go directly to A&E.”

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.