Snow takes its toll on schools in Badenoch and Strathspey
The cold snap continues to take its toll on Badenoch and Strathspey with several school sand road closures today.
The bad weather means that Alvie, Aviemore and Kingussie primary schools and Kingussie Primary School nursery are closed as is Kingussie High School. It is understand that the closures are due to the concerns over road conditions for travel to and from the schools.
Pupils have returned to Grantown Grammar School and the town’s primary school after both were closed yesterday.
A Highland Council spokeswoman said: "The headteachers have to make a decision early on in the day according to local weather conditions."The decisions to close these schools have all been on the grounds of health and safety regarding school transport and parents, teachers and staff travelling to the schools."The weather forecasts for the rest of the day are also taken into account."
The B9007 Ferness road remains closed due to drifting snow. There is a fresh covering of snow in most parts of the strath of around one to two cetinmetres and temperatures are hovering aroudn the freezing mark.
Highland Council is reporting frozen slush on most routes but said that roads have been getting treated since 6am in accordance with their snow clearing and gritting route policies.
The local authority spokeswoman said: "Highland has the longest road network of any council in Scotland and it is not possible to treat every road at the same time. A priority system is applied to treat the areas in greatest need first."
Trunk roads are gritted by BEAR Scotland (North West) for Transport Scotland.
Around 1,020 pupils in the region are enjoying an unexpected day off with most of the affected schools being in the strath.