(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Snow and ice in northern Scotland has forced
more than 90 schools and nurseries to shut down, the closure of roads and the suspension of several rail routes.
The blizzards followed last week's fierce storms which left 120,000 properties without power in Scotland. The homes have since been reconnected but BT is continuing to fix phone lines in the Highlands and Islands. Repair efforts have been hampered by fallen trees, ferry cancellations and traffic restrictions.
Road operator Bear Scotland said its teams were working around the clock to keep routes clear, while Police Scotland said drivers should ask whether their journey is really necessary before getting behind the wheel. A lorry jackknifed on the A9 south of Newtonmore in snowy conditions causing delays for a time.
"If you do decide to travel, ensure your vehicle is well prepared before setting off, make sure your windscreens are completely free of snow and ice, and your lights are working and clean," said chief inspector Louise Blakelock.
Heavy snowfall blocked the railway line in the Highlands between Blair Atholl and Drumochter as snowplough trains worked through the night in an attempt to keep the rail network open.
Network Rail said a limited number of train services had been suspended from noon yesterday because of heavy winds. No trains will run on the Dumbarton Central to Helensburgh Central and Glasgow to Oban lines until 6pm today. The Kyle to Dingwall and Kilwinning to Ardrossan line was also suspended.
David Dickson, route managing director for Scotland, said: "Safety has to be our first consideration during severe weather. Where conditions are predicted to be most severe, we have agreed to withdraw a limited number of services until the worst of the storms have passed."
In Northern Ireland, more than 100 schools were forced to close after heavy snowfall mainly in western parts of the region. The counties worst hit by the severe weather were Derry, Fermanagh and Tyrone. In Derry city, the snowfall was so deep overnight that some local taxi firms suspended services yesterday morning.
At the main hospital in the city some staff were forced to stay on site overnight because of road closures and disruption to public transport.
A spokesperson for Altnagelvin hospital said: "A small number of staff had to stay in, we have planned arrangements in place for such eventualities. Public access to the hospital at this stage is like everywhere else in Derry: difficult but accessible."
Rail and bus services in the west of the province were disrupted as is the ferry between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island with all sailings cancelled from half past nine yesterday morning.
Meanwhile across the border in the Irish Republic, western counties were also being badly affected by the snowfall.
Schools in Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and parts of the Irish Midlands were closed. All secondary schools in Sligo town were closed as a result of the snow and high winds.
The Met Office has issued yellow "be aware" alerts for most of the UK.
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