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Disruption warning for commuters despite bridge reopening Disruption warning for commuters despite bridge reopening
(35 minutes later)
Travellers are facing another day of disruption due to severe weather despite the reopening of the Forth Road Bridge.Travellers are facing another day of disruption due to severe weather despite the reopening of the Forth Road Bridge.
Traffic was allowed on the crossing again from 21:00 on Wednesday, after damage caused by a blown over lorry was repaired sooner than expected.Traffic was allowed on the crossing again from 21:00 on Wednesday, after damage caused by a blown over lorry was repaired sooner than expected.
Forecasters said widespread wintry showers across Scotland were making travelling difficult. Forecasters said widespread wintry showers across Scotland were making travelling difficult in some parts.
Snow and winds of up to 70mph are expected to last throughout the day. Snow and winds of up to 60mph are expected to last throughout the day.
A further warning for snow is in place until late on Friday. A further warning for up to 20cm (8in) snow is in place until late on Friday.
Police said there have been some minor road accidents in the Highlands and across the central belt.
The conditions resulted in the temporary closure of the M74 southbound at junction 8 Lesmahagow after ice was detected in the road.The conditions resulted in the temporary closure of the M74 southbound at junction 8 Lesmahagow after ice was detected in the road.
Traffic Scotland said gritters had made the route safe and it was reopened shortly after 09:00.Traffic Scotland said gritters had made the route safe and it was reopened shortly after 09:00.
However, gritters remain at the scene amid reports that lorries are struggling on the route between junctions 9 and 11.
Have you been affected by the weather conditions? Tell us your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
The northbound A9 was closed for an hour at about 05:00 due to a jack-knifed lorry. The route was also blocked southbound at Newtonmore due to a jack-knifed lorry shortly before 09:00.The northbound A9 was closed for an hour at about 05:00 due to a jack-knifed lorry. The route was also blocked southbound at Newtonmore due to a jack-knifed lorry shortly before 09:00.
In Dumfries and Galloway, local police reported heavy snow falling on the M74 at Lockerbie, while Wallace Hall Academy and Primary in Thornhill were shut due to the bad weather - they are expected to reopen on Friday. In Dumfries and Galloway, local police reported heavy snow falling on the M74 at Lockerbie, while Wallace Hall Academy and Primary in Thornhill and Ae Primary were shut due to the bad weather - they are expected to reopen on Friday.
In south Lanarkshire, snow also affected many routes, including the A723 between Strathaven to Hamilton.In south Lanarkshire, snow also affected many routes, including the A723 between Strathaven to Hamilton.
'Working all night''Working all night'
The weather was also causing treacherous driving conditions in Ayrshire and Stirlingshire, where local police warned drivers to take extra care on the A84, A81 and A85.The weather was also causing treacherous driving conditions in Ayrshire and Stirlingshire, where local police warned drivers to take extra care on the A84, A81 and A85.
Ferry services are also liable to severe disruption, according to operator Caledonian MacBrayne. Northlink Ferries and Orkney Ferries also warned that disruption was likely.
Stein Connolly from Transport Scotland told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme that temperatures had plunged to minus 8.4 overnight leading to 241 gritters being mobilised.Stein Connolly from Transport Scotland told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme that temperatures had plunged to minus 8.4 overnight leading to 241 gritters being mobilised.
He said: "People can go on our website and see exactly where the gritters are and you can track the gritters. You can also see what treatments were done overnight.He said: "People can go on our website and see exactly where the gritters are and you can track the gritters. You can also see what treatments were done overnight.
"Because of these temperatures and because of the Met Office prediction of snow and wind, we've had the multi agency response team in here working all night in the Traffic Scotland control centre to make sure if there is any incidents we can react to it very quickly.""Because of these temperatures and because of the Met Office prediction of snow and wind, we've had the multi agency response team in here working all night in the Traffic Scotland control centre to make sure if there is any incidents we can react to it very quickly."
The Met Office has issued several yellow Be Aware warnings. Lightning may also accompany the heavier showers, with potential disruption to power supplies.The Met Office has issued several yellow Be Aware warnings. Lightning may also accompany the heavier showers, with potential disruption to power supplies.
There is also a risk of snow drifts on higher routes on Thursday and Friday.There is also a risk of snow drifts on higher routes on Thursday and Friday.
Snow gates were closed on the A939 between Tomintoul and Cock Bridge.Snow gates were closed on the A939 between Tomintoul and Cock Bridge.
The weather also saw commuters looking to cross the Forth Road Bridge on Wednesday stuck in traffic jams for hours after a lorry was blown from the northbound carriageway onto the southbound side at about 02:00. The Forth Road Bridge, which connects Edinburgh and Fife, was closed all day on Wednesday after a lorry was blown over and damaged the central reservation.
The crossing was closed to HGVs at the time. The 54-year-old driver was arrested and charged with dangerous driving. The bridge was closed to high-sided vehicles at the time of the accident and the 54-year-old driver was charged with dangerous driving by Police Scotland.
High winds delayed attempts to remove the vehicle until mid-afternoon. Welders then began repairing a 40m section of the central grille that had been badly damaged.
Transport minister Humza Yousaf praised bridge staff who completed the repairs much sooner than expected.
He said: "Once again, the Forth Road Bridge team has stepped up to repair the bridge. They have successfully removed the overturned HGV and carried out temporary repair work to the damaged central reserve safety grille on the bridge.
"I would like to pay tribute to the engineers and workers who have faced up to some very challenging and difficult weather conditions throughout the day, to complete the work and get the bridge reopened as quickly and as safely as possible.
"The bridge is now open in both directions for traffic, subject to any restrictions the weather may bring, in line with the forecast."
Check out the latest travel news for ScotlandCheck out the latest travel news for Scotland
For the latest on the roads visit the BBC's travel news page and keep up to date with incidents and roadworks on the motorways here.For the latest on the roads visit the BBC's travel news page and keep up to date with incidents and roadworks on the motorways here.
Around the country you can check for updates from:Around the country you can check for updates from:
Alternatively, for regular travel bulletins listen live to BBC Radio Scotland and follow @BBCTravelScot.Alternatively, for regular travel bulletins listen live to BBC Radio Scotland and follow @BBCTravelScot.
In times of severe disruption you can also follow the BBC Scotland severe weather Twitter list of key sources.In times of severe disruption you can also follow the BBC Scotland severe weather Twitter list of key sources.
Below are a number of other traffic information sources.Below are a number of other traffic information sources.
Have you been affected by the weather conditions? Tell us your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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