Hundreds of homes on Shetland face being without power until early next week as engineers battle tough road and weather conditions, five days after last Monday’s widespread blackout.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, which has shipped in 125 emergency engineers, convoys of 4x4s and mobile generators to Shetland this week, said it could take until at least Monday to restore supplies to about 800 homes and businesses in West Mainland.
Their warning came as a large part of west central Scotland and parts of the southern Highlands were placed under an amber severe weather warning for snow until midday on Friday, with forecasts that up to 20cm could fall on higher ground.
The runway at Glasgow airport was closed for several hours this morning for a clear-up operation to remove ice and snow, causing significant disruption to flight schedules.
After midday, the Met Office issued a new yellow warning for ice, covering the Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian and Borders, and Strathclyde weather areas and running through the night until 10.30am on Saturday.
The amber alert was issued by the Met Office just before 5am and only an hour before it came into force, leaving many commuters and commercial drivers little time to prepare.
⚠️⚠️ Amber weather warning issued ⚠️⚠️
— Met Office (@metoffice) December 16, 2022
Snow across central parts of Scotland
Friday 0500 – 1200
Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/NsoyspRjkq
Traffic agencies and police reported a series of collisions, numerous breakdowns and impassable roads before and during rush hour, including the closure of parts of the M8 east of Glasgow after an accident and reports of vehicles stuck in snow near Inveraray, Argyll.
Police in mid Argyll and Kintyre, west of Loch Lomond, advised all motorists to stay clear of the A83 and A85 trunk roads due to the heavy snow and reports of vehicles getting stuck, including an HGV on the notorious Rest and Be Thankful stretch of the A83.
NEW❗ ⌚ 08:35#A9 #M9 J11 Keir Roundabout
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) December 16, 2022
The Roundabout remains restricted due to a broken down vehicle and adverse weather conditions❗
TRISS are in attendance#TakeCare on approach #DriveSafe@NETrunkRoads @NWTrunkRoads pic.twitter.com/XQk02JSJKt
SSEN said that by 10.45pm on Thursday, about 1,700 properties were still without power in parts of West Mainland, Voe and Brae.
“Helicopter surveys and foot patrols have now provided engineers with a clear picture of the extent of the damage, enabling teams to segment the network and make progress in restoring customer supplies area by area,” the company said. “This work has been essential to the rebuilding of the ‘backbone’ of the network.
“Subject to no unforeseen challenges, we expect sustained progress over the next 48 hours and are targeting the restoration of the large majority of supplies by Sunday.
“Given the extent of damage and access issues in the West Mainland, particularly west of Bixter, it is now anticipated that some properties in this area will be reconnected by the early part of next week. We are continuing to make every effort to improve on this if we can.”
Shetland Islands council, SSEN, the police and other agencies have set up 20 “warm hubs” to offer hot drinks, kitchen facilities, fuel, broadband connections and a heated space for those without power.
Dr Susan Bowie, the GP at Hillswick surgery in north-west Mainland, told BBC Scotland they had no heating: “It’s really cold at the surgery. You can’t stay there too long because your hands get so cold, but there’s been a real community spirit about this situation.
“The roads are terrible but the staff have come in, they have done their best. We are wearing coats, jumpers and fleeces just to stay warm.”
