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Rush hour delays as snow returns to parts of Scotland Rush hour delays as snow returns to parts of Scotland
(35 minutes later)
Commuters faced delays after snow showers returned to some parts of Scotland. Commuters have faced delays after snow showers returned to some parts of Scotland.
Delays were reported in the central belt on Tuesday morning, including routes around Edinburgh, the M80 and the M77.Delays were reported in the central belt on Tuesday morning, including routes around Edinburgh, the M80 and the M77.
Met Office yellow warnings for snow and ice remain in place for large parts of the country until 21:00 on Tuesday.Met Office yellow warnings for snow and ice remain in place for large parts of the country until 21:00 on Tuesday.
Some rural communities are still cut off, including in the Carron Valley area in Stirlingshire.Some rural communities are still cut off, including in the Carron Valley area in Stirlingshire.
Heavy snow caused very slow traffic on the M80 at Old Inns, and at Denny in Stirlingshire, while the weather also brought traffic to a standstill on the Edinburgh-bound A70.Heavy snow caused very slow traffic on the M80 at Old Inns, and at Denny in Stirlingshire, while the weather also brought traffic to a standstill on the Edinburgh-bound A70.
'Food supplies''Food supplies'
On the M77 at Kingwell, Traffic Scotland reported how snowfall had caused an HGV to get stuck on the westbound carriageway, also bringing traffic to a halt. On the M77 at Kingwell, Traffic Scotland said snow caused an HGV to get stuck on the westbound carriageway, also bringing traffic to a halt.
Scottish Borders Council said that the conditions proved a challenge for school buses in their area, although the local authority said schools were open. The return of wintry weather came as the country was largely returning to normal after "the Beast from the East".
In Carron Valley, Stuart Ballantyne from Trossachs Search and Rescue told BBC Scotland: "We were asked by Stirling Council if we could deliver food supplies to about 30 residents who have been trapped by snow for several days and the operation has been ongoing all afternoon. People were last week told not to drive from Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning across the central belt, with the travel network largely paralysed due to heavy snow.
"The snow at present on the roads is about 5-6ft deep and there's a JCB digging away but they are still probably about half a kilometre away from the houses." Most schools reopened on Monday after three days of closure, but Midlothian and South Lanarkshire councils said on Tuesday that schools would open later than usual to allow more travel time in the snow.
Midlothian Council tweeted: "Alert - due to snow this morning pupils should not attend for school until 11am, if possible, this morning (Tuesday). However, if already on your way, don't worry, there will be staff present."
Scottish Borders Council said that the conditions had proved a challenge for school buses in their area, although the local authority said schools were open.
Efforts are continuing to clear a road in the Carron Valley to allow food and medical supplies to be brought in after up to 30 people were trapped by snow for six days.
Stuart Ballantyne from Trossachs Search and Rescue told BBC Scotland on Monday: "We could only get about a mile from the closest house because the snow was about five or six feet deep.
"The diggers are working hard, they're working furiously, but our members have had to climb on top of that snow and then walk in, and there's fog as well, so they had to navigate across where they believed the road was towards several houses."
Stevie Coombes, a rescue volunteer who reached the residents after a two -hour trek through the snow, told BBC Scotland: "They were just happy to see us and happy to get some supplies.Stevie Coombes, a rescue volunteer who reached the residents after a two -hour trek through the snow, told BBC Scotland: "They were just happy to see us and happy to get some supplies.
"One farmer made us a flask of Bovril which was nice. They are all in pretty good spirits.""One farmer made us a flask of Bovril which was nice. They are all in pretty good spirits."
Flood alerts
Resident Norman Lynch said: "We have quite a thick fog here as well. Visibility is quite low.Resident Norman Lynch said: "We have quite a thick fog here as well. Visibility is quite low.
"We are not able to get out with any vehicles - the road is totally impassable."We are not able to get out with any vehicles - the road is totally impassable.
"We've personally been stuck for six days. That's the last time we could use the road with a 4x4.""We've personally been stuck for six days. That's the last time we could use the road with a 4x4."
Most schools reopened on Monday, while pupils in Fife, Borders, West Lothian and a number of schools in the Borders will return on Tuesday.
A number of low level flood alerts are in place for Edinburgh, the Lothians, the Borders, Fife, Dundee, Angus, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.A number of low level flood alerts are in place for Edinburgh, the Lothians, the Borders, Fife, Dundee, Angus, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
Flooding near Montrose has caused disruption to trains from the central belt to Aberdeen.
The Scottish government said people could still expect to face "challenging" conditions in some areas.The Scottish government said people could still expect to face "challenging" conditions in some areas.
The decision to keep Fife schools shut on Monday was questioned by the SNP MSP for Dunfermline, Shirley-Anne Somerville, who described it as "very disappointing".
"While this may be necessary for some schools, it surely can't be the case for all," she wrote on Facebook.
"This will put further pressure on parents/carers who will need to take yet another day off work."
Carrie Lindsay, the council's executive director for education, said the decision to close all schools had been one of the hardest she had faced.
"I am acutely aware of the need to get our children back in the classroom to continue their learning as well as to allow our parents back to work," she said.
"Lots of factors had to be considered and in the end it came down to one thing - we couldn't be confident that children and families could get to school safely."
ScotRail has said the rail network was back to running a "near-normal" service.ScotRail has said the rail network was back to running a "near-normal" service.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: "Conditions have improved significantly in many parts of the country but I would urge the Scottish public to remain vigilant.Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: "Conditions have improved significantly in many parts of the country but I would urge the Scottish public to remain vigilant.
"Yellow (be aware) weather warnings are still in place across all but the most westerly parts of Scotland, and in most parts ice and surface water will create challenges for drivers on some minor roads."Yellow (be aware) weather warnings are still in place across all but the most westerly parts of Scotland, and in most parts ice and surface water will create challenges for drivers on some minor roads.
"The advice from Police Scotland is travel with caution in all areas, and drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and check weather forecasts.""The advice from Police Scotland is travel with caution in all areas, and drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and check weather forecasts."
The country ground to a halt last week as heavy snow falls prompted a red weather warning and the public were urged not to travel.The country ground to a halt last week as heavy snow falls prompted a red weather warning and the public were urged not to travel.
Businesses were also affected with shops and offices forced to close and employers urged to allow staff to work from home.Businesses were also affected with shops and offices forced to close and employers urged to allow staff to work from home.