Highland Council winter road condition report for Friday, 5 February 2021

Maps of the Council’s gritting routes by priority and policy are available online at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting

Highland Council operatives are currently supporting the response to the emergency incident on the A835, which, in turn, is impacting gritting and treatment to routes in other parts of Highland.  If your journey is absolutely essential, travel with great care, plan ahead and ensure your vehicle is well-equipped – consideration should be given to travelling with a snow shovel, extra clothing, blankets, food and a hot drink. Only essential travel is advised if you are in an area affected by wintry conditions.

The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.

Road condition reports for Friday, 5 February 2021 are as follows:

Lochalsh and Ross & Cromarty West

Posted at 08:15.  No change in status for A835, A832 and Bealach na Ba - still closed, updates to follow.  Lower routes wet with no issues.

Police declared a major incident overnight as around 40 people were trapped in their vehicles in the snow between the Braemore junction and Aultguish. Vehicles are still stuck, but BEAR (with Highland Council assistance) have been working to clear the road with JCBs and ploughs.  They are trying to open the road from both ends.  BEAR have mobilised snowblowers and other kit which should be on site imminently.

Lochaber

Posted at 08:21.  Roads are wet, light snow covering on the highest route.  All Primary and Secondary Routes being treated. No other issues reported.

Skye and Raasay

Posted at 08:45.  Snow affecting some of the higher parts of routes, in particular the A863 and A850.  All other routes generally okay.  Primary route treatment ongoing on A850 due to mechanical issues.  Otherwise treatment ongoing on secondary routes where required.

Caithness

Posted at 08:06.  Low road surface temperatures and wintery showers, mainly damp roads with odd patches of slush or a light dusting of snow.  Treating all routes as necessary.  No other issues to report.

Inverness

Posted at 06:19.  Covering of slush on low roads, 2 inches of snow cover on high roads and fresh snow drifting in strong wind, all routes to be gritted this morning, plus bladed where required.

Sutherland

Posted at 08:37.  Low ground mainly wet roads, high ground up 15cm of wet snow in places and 2ft- 4ft drifts, blowing on top of Struie hill all roads open & passable with care.

Nairn

Posted at 06:56.  Frost on lower roads, snow on higher routes with drifting of 30cm in places.  B9007 Glenferness and A939 Dava remain closed due to snow and drifting snow.  All resources deployed in treating roads.

Badenoch and Strathspey

Posted at 07:40.  1 to 2cms snow on high routes, otherwise wet roads with some slush and icy patches.  Roads being treated as necessary.  Roads remain closed due to drifting snow at A393 Bridge of Brown, A939 Dava, B9007 Glenferness.

Ross and Cromarty East

Posted at 07:26.  Wet on low roads but up to 3 inches of wet snow on higher roads. Road temperatures around zero or slightly above with no sign of frost or ice.  All roads being treated and bladed where needed.

The UK Met Office currently has an amber weather warning in place for snow in much of the Highland region.  Track any changes to this weather warning throughout the course of the day here:  https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ 

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