Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Cars skid off roads after heavy snow and schools close as ice warnings issued

Met Office warns of power cuts and icy patches before snow turns to rain at weekend

Jane Dalton
Friday 07 January 2022 15:35 GMT
The A66 was closed for several hours after this photo was taken
The A66 was closed for several hours after this photo was taken (PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Cars came off roads and their drivers became stuck after heavy snow caused disruption in Scotland and the north of England.

As temperatures plunged, the Met Office issued two yellow weather warnings on Friday for ice in northwest England, southwest Scotland, central southern England and Wales, lasting until midnight.

Heavy snow fell on the M77 and M74 in Scotland, causing the A66 trans-Pennine route between County Durham and Cumbria to shut for several hours in both directions, with vehicles stranded on the road. One car reportedly went into a ditch.

And after Glasgow woke up covered in snow, several vehicles became stuck on a motorway slip road in the east of the city.

Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said: “It has been a wintry 24 hours across a good chunk of the UK.”

Police in East Dunbartonshire said a number of vehicles had been abandoned because of the snow, and in the Highlands at least two schools closed because roads were impassable for buses.

Gritting lorries were sent out in Ayrshire, and bin collections were cancelled or postponed in many areas of Scotland.

National Highways traffic officers were called to help with traffic management on the A66.

The Met Office warned of further travel disruption, the chance of power cuts and icy patches on roads, making driving dangerous.

But forecasters said the ice should have gone for most by Saturday morning, leaving windy weather with heavy rain likely in most areas.

Commuters in West Lothian
Commuters in West Lothian (SWNS)

Mr Snell said: “It will be a very unsettled day to come for some of us through Saturday.

“Sunday is looking drier and brighter, though there will be outbreaks of rain with the northwest of the UK most likely to see that.

“The southeast will be the wettest on Saturday, so there will be a role reversal on Sunday.

Playing in the snow in West Lothian
Playing in the snow in West Lothian (SWNS)

“Temperatures will still be chilly, but not anywhere near as cold as it has been.”

The Met Office warned that heavy rain, spray and flooding may cause difficult driving conditions on Saturday.

Additional reporting by PA

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in