A MAJOR incident was declared on the A9 due to miles of vehicles stuck in the snow as a result of Storm Gerrit.
Police Scotland declared the major incident as vehicles are stuck between Drumochter and Dalwhinnie.
The road has now reopened, although Police Scotland have urged drivers to be careful while travelling and to only travel if necessary.
In a statement on Twitter/X, a spokesperson for Police Scotland Highlands and Islands said: “The A9 has fully reopened in both directions following earlier closures due to adverse weather.
“The road is passable with care, however motorists are advised to only travel if essential and extra caution should be exercised.”
The A9 has fully re-opened in both directions following earlier closures due to adverse weather. The road is passable with care, however, motorists are advised to only travel if essential and extra caution should be exercised. pic.twitter.com/lcwX5HUPRs
— Police Scotland Highland & Islands (@PSOSHighland) December 27, 2023
Earlier on Thursday, a spokesperson for Highland Council told The National a major incident had been declared.
The spokesperson said: "A major incident has been declared for A9 due to miles of vehicles stuck in the snow between Drumochter and Dalwhinnie.
"Partner agencies are providing assistance to those trapped, prioritising most vulnerable, and turning vehicles around at north and south of the closure.
"Conditions are very severe. We are advising people not to travel on the A9 today between Inverness and Dalwhinnie."
A spokesperson from Police Scotland said: "Alongside partner agencies we are dealing with a number of vehicles stranded on the A9 at Dalnaspidal due to severe weather conditions.
"Drivers are asked to remain in their vehicles meantime, keep warm, and tune in to local radio or social media where further updates will be provided as soon as possible."
Traffic Scotland announced the A9 was closed in both directions at Dalnaspidal in both directions due to "adverse weather conditions".
UPDATE❗ 16:10 🛣 #A9 Dalnaspidal ⛔️CLOSED in both directions due to adverse weather conditions#UseAltRoute and delay travel if possible@NWTrunkRoads #StormGerrit pic.twitter.com/kksIjomVfH
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) December 27, 2023
The A9 at Scrabster is also closed due to a landslide.
BEAR North West Trunk Roads announced: "The road will remain closed until a safety assessment can be undertaken at first light tomorrow [Thursday] and when safe to do so."
#A9 Scrabster - CLOSED due to landslide. Our teams are on route. The road will remain closed until a safety assessment can be undertaken at first light tomorrow and when safe to do so.@trafficscotland @PSOSHighland @HighlandCouncil w3w///beaten.lowest.sticky pic.twitter.com/DnhLpQCaID
— BEAR NW Trunk Roads (@NWTrunkRoads) December 27, 2023
Vehicles can be seen stuck in snow, as queues are reportedly several miles long.
Snow ploughs have started to clear the road on the A9 at Drumochter, but delays are expected to continue as Storm Gerrit causes disruption across Scotland.
#A9 Drumochter - our ploughs can now get work clearing the snow. Thankyou to all those motorist who helped and who helped each other.#StaySafe @trafficscotland @PSOSHighland @PSOSTayside https://t.co/ed9PoLBstH pic.twitter.com/nJtp4io5ta
— BEAR NW Trunk Roads (@NWTrunkRoads) December 27, 2023
Pete Wishart, SNP MP for Perth, posted on Twitter/X that local councils were starting to put support in place for those still trapped in cars.
Writing on Twitter/X, Wishart said: "It is carnage on the A9 just now. Snow closures beyond Drumochter and closed between Dunkeld and Ballinluig due to flooding. Been speaking to the council and support is being put in place for those trapped in cars."
It is carnage on the A9 just now. Snow closures beyond Drumochter and closed between Dunkeld and Ballinluig due to flooding. Been speaking to the council and support is being put in place for those trapped in cars. https://t.co/p7FtjxxiQL
— Pete Wishart (@PeteWishart) December 27, 2023
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn also expressed concern for those travelling in the storm, as he posted on Twitter/X: "Scary stuff down Fife way earlier. Footage from the A9 even more so. Hope everyone has made it home safely."
Scary stuff down Fife way earlier. Footage from the A9 even more so. Hope everyone has made it home safely. #StormGerrit pic.twitter.com/oyFd2349lH
— Stephen Flynn MP (@StephenFlynnSNP) December 27, 2023
A yellow weather warning is in effect until midnight on Wednesday, with many train services delayed or cancelled.
ScotRail announced that all services north of Perth and Dundee would be cancelled, with the following routes closed:
- Aberdeen - Dundee - Edinburgh
- Inverness - Perth
- Aberdeen - Inverness
- West Highland
- Kyle & Far North
- Kilwinning - Ardrossan/Largs
- Dumfries - Kilmarnock
- West of Dalmuir
Network Rail also confirmed disruption would continue whilst safety checks are ongoing.
In a statement on Twitter/X, it announced that because safety checks could only take place in daylight, services would continue to be affected going into Thursday.
The statement read: "Tomorrow, we’ll need to inspect all currently shut routes for damage caused by flooding/fallen trees - this'll take several hours and can only be done in daylight.
"Disruption will continue until each line is confirmed safe to reopen."
