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Drivers stranded overnight on M74 as snow sweeps Scotland Drivers stranded overnight on M74 as snow sweeps Scotland
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of drivers are spending the night in their cars after becoming stranded due to heavy snow. Hundreds of drivers have spent the night in their cars after becoming stranded due to heavy snow.
Mountain rescue teams have been sent to help those stuck on the M74 in Dumfries and Galloway after severe weather led to closures at Millbank and Beattock.Mountain rescue teams have been sent to help those stuck on the M74 in Dumfries and Galloway after severe weather led to closures at Millbank and Beattock.
Traffic Scotland says gritters are clearing routes, but are having to work around a number of jack-knifed lorries.Traffic Scotland says gritters are clearing routes, but are having to work around a number of jack-knifed lorries.
Snow has also caused problems in Northern Ireland, forcing schools to close and disrupting public transport.Snow has also caused problems in Northern Ireland, forcing schools to close and disrupting public transport.
An amber Met Office warning for snow and ice is in place in south-west Scotland, extending to parts of the central belt, and parts of Northern Ireland until 08:00 on Wednesday.An amber Met Office warning for snow and ice is in place in south-west Scotland, extending to parts of the central belt, and parts of Northern Ireland until 08:00 on Wednesday.
Forecasters warn of "heavy squally showers of snow" which may cause power cuts and disruption on the roads, with up to 25cm (9.8ins) of snow possible on high ground, and up to 10cm (4ins) at lower levels.Forecasters warn of "heavy squally showers of snow" which may cause power cuts and disruption on the roads, with up to 25cm (9.8ins) of snow possible on high ground, and up to 10cm (4ins) at lower levels.
Much of England and Wales is covered by a less severe yellow warning for snow and ice on Wednesday and for snow and strong winds in some places until the end of the week.Much of England and Wales is covered by a less severe yellow warning for snow and ice on Wednesday and for snow and strong winds in some places until the end of the week.
The worst problems have been around junction 12 of the M74 in South Lanarkshire southbound and between junctions 14 and 15 northbound. At times the road has been closed altogether. By 06:00, at least one lane had been opened in each direction although it was taking time to clear the build-up of trapped vehicles.The worst problems have been around junction 12 of the M74 in South Lanarkshire southbound and between junctions 14 and 15 northbound. At times the road has been closed altogether. By 06:00, at least one lane had been opened in each direction although it was taking time to clear the build-up of trapped vehicles.
One driver stuck on the northbound carriageway of the M74, Fergus McCann, said the impatience of other drivers was making things worse.One driver stuck on the northbound carriageway of the M74, Fergus McCann, said the impatience of other drivers was making things worse.
He told the BBC: "There's been a fair bit of impatient driving going on.He told the BBC: "There's been a fair bit of impatient driving going on.
"People are in one queue, then people are cutting out and trying to go down lanes that clearly are not for driving on."People are in one queue, then people are cutting out and trying to go down lanes that clearly are not for driving on.
"It's not a surprise that you're getting a few hundred yards down the road and you're seeing them facing the wrong way.""It's not a surprise that you're getting a few hundred yards down the road and you're seeing them facing the wrong way."
Steve Harris became stranded on the M74 at 17:30 GMT and was still stuck between junctions 11 and 12 more than eight hours later.Steve Harris became stranded on the M74 at 17:30 GMT and was still stuck between junctions 11 and 12 more than eight hours later.
"I've not moved really in the last four hours," he told BBC Radio 5 live at about 03:00 GMT."I've not moved really in the last four hours," he told BBC Radio 5 live at about 03:00 GMT.
"I've managed to get out of my car a couple of times to stretch my legs. The snow is probably between four and six inches deep around the cars.""I've managed to get out of my car a couple of times to stretch my legs. The snow is probably between four and six inches deep around the cars."
Food and fuel School closures
Another driver, Danielle, told the station earlier that she had been stranded for more than five hours. A number of schools will remain closed because of the weather conditions.
"I stopped at 19:30 GMT and since then I've moved about two miles. Scottish Borders Council has said no schools will open in its area.
"I just can't understand how you can be stationary for five and a quarter hours." There were individual closures in South Lanarkshire, East Ayrshire, Stirling, Falkirk and the Highlands.
James Coles, from Moffat Mountain Rescue, said his teams were taking fuel and food to those who need it.
"We're going back and forth between the cars checking on the welfare of people and seeing if there's anybody who needs to be taken out of their car, or needs any advice," he added.
He said traffic was moving very slowly at 03:00 GMT, but there were still problems due to "a significant number of jack-knifed lorries".
Snow was still a hazard on urban roads at the start of the rush hour.Snow was still a hazard on urban roads at the start of the rush hour.
Traffic Scotland warned the M8 in Glasgow was restricted eastbound between junction 14 and 15 because of a collision.Traffic Scotland warned the M8 in Glasgow was restricted eastbound between junction 14 and 15 because of a collision.
Earlier, police in Dumfries and Galloway warned against "all but essential travel".Earlier, police in Dumfries and Galloway warned against "all but essential travel".
Dumfries & Galloway Virtual Operations Support Team - which was set-up to respond to the weather issues in the region - said: "We are working to clear the stuck vehicles and clear the crashes.Dumfries & Galloway Virtual Operations Support Team - which was set-up to respond to the weather issues in the region - said: "We are working to clear the stuck vehicles and clear the crashes.
"Please remain in your vehicle and signal the mountain rescue team or police if you need any help or contact us via 999.""Please remain in your vehicle and signal the mountain rescue team or police if you need any help or contact us via 999."
Scottish Fire and Rescue's station manager in Dumfries and Galloway said motorists had been driving "too close behind me" on his way to a crash, despite "blizzard conditions".Scottish Fire and Rescue's station manager in Dumfries and Galloway said motorists had been driving "too close behind me" on his way to a crash, despite "blizzard conditions".
On the Isle of Skye, the main road - the A87 - was blocked for several hours in both directions by a jack-knifed lorry.On the Isle of Skye, the main road - the A87 - was blocked for several hours in both directions by a jack-knifed lorry.
The closure meant two school buses with pupils who had been stuck for hours had to return to Portree High. The school said they would be put in temporary accommodation for the night.The closure meant two school buses with pupils who had been stuck for hours had to return to Portree High. The school said they would be put in temporary accommodation for the night.
On Tuesday evening, Scotland's Transport Minister Humza Yousaf tweeted that a number of HGVs had "lost traction with challenging weather impacting on M74".On Tuesday evening, Scotland's Transport Minister Humza Yousaf tweeted that a number of HGVs had "lost traction with challenging weather impacting on M74".
He added: "Necessary to close the junction to get additional gritters and equipment to the scene."He added: "Necessary to close the junction to get additional gritters and equipment to the scene."
Across Scotland more than 100 schools and nurseries were closed on Tuesday, with more than 10,000 pupils missing classes.Across Scotland more than 100 schools and nurseries were closed on Tuesday, with more than 10,000 pupils missing classes.
In the Highland council area, the weather affected 13 secondary schools, 53 primaries, two special schools and 26 nurseries. About 8,900 pupils had an unexpected day off classes.In the Highland council area, the weather affected 13 secondary schools, 53 primaries, two special schools and 26 nurseries. About 8,900 pupils had an unexpected day off classes.
Dumfries and Galloway Council said 20 schools were closed due to weather problems or heating failures. Some schools also closed in the East Ayrshire and Stirling Council areas.Dumfries and Galloway Council said 20 schools were closed due to weather problems or heating failures. Some schools also closed in the East Ayrshire and Stirling Council areas.
In North Lanarkshire, all prelim exams for secondary pupils were postponed due to transport problems and all cafes in council leisure and culture buildings were shut.In North Lanarkshire, all prelim exams for secondary pupils were postponed due to transport problems and all cafes in council leisure and culture buildings were shut.
South Lanarkshire Council closed 18 schools and nurseries throughout the day.South Lanarkshire Council closed 18 schools and nurseries throughout the day.
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