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Heavy snow causes roads and power disruption Heavy snow causes roads and power disruption
(about 3 hours later)
Heavy snow is causing major disruption to travel around Scotland, with thousands also facing a power blackout and the cold weather set to continue.Heavy snow is causing major disruption to travel around Scotland, with thousands also facing a power blackout and the cold weather set to continue.
Many people in Dumfries and Galloway have been stuck in their cars overnight - and police are warning those in the area not to travel.Many people in Dumfries and Galloway have been stuck in their cars overnight - and police are warning those in the area not to travel.
Engineers had problems reaching damaged cables as they attempted to restore electricity supplies.Engineers had problems reaching damaged cables as they attempted to restore electricity supplies.
The Kintyre peninsula, Arran and the south west were worst affected and a helpline number - 08003287758 - has been set up for islanders. The Kintyre peninsula, Arran and the south west were worst affected.
Many lines were brought down by the weight of ice forming on the cables.Many lines were brought down by the weight of ice forming on the cables.
The Scottish government says that 18,000 properties remain without power, with blocked roads, high winds and blizzards hampering the repair effort.The Scottish government says that 18,000 properties remain without power, with blocked roads, high winds and blizzards hampering the repair effort.
In some places in the south west, engineers encountered 10ft-high snow drifts.In some places in the south west, engineers encountered 10ft-high snow drifts.
Emergency generatorEmergency generator
Some supplies were restored overnight, but customers on Arran were warned that they could be without power until Monday.Some supplies were restored overnight, but customers on Arran were warned that they could be without power until Monday.
Power companies are working with councils to send generators to affected areas and the Whiting Bay Hall and Auchrannie Spa and Country House, in Brodick, are open for residents with power, heat and refreshments.Power companies are working with councils to send generators to affected areas and the Whiting Bay Hall and Auchrannie Spa and Country House, in Brodick, are open for residents with power, heat and refreshments.
Hotel general manager Richard Small told the BBC: "Being the only place on the island with power has been quite eventful.Hotel general manager Richard Small told the BBC: "Being the only place on the island with power has been quite eventful.
"We have a generator for one of our hotels, so everybody's descended on one hotel and one restaurant."We have a generator for one of our hotels, so everybody's descended on one hotel and one restaurant.
"So it's been going like a fair all day with all the locals and we're full of guests as we are fully booked.""So it's been going like a fair all day with all the locals and we're full of guests as we are fully booked."
Lamlash fire station is also now open all day, with power available through a local generator.Lamlash fire station is also now open all day, with power available through a local generator.
A spokesman for Scottish Hydro said: "Mobile generators are on the island and more are en route, but access is proving difficult.A spokesman for Scottish Hydro said: "Mobile generators are on the island and more are en route, but access is proving difficult.
"We're trying everything we can to get people back on today, but we can't give an indication of when everyone will have their power restored.""We're trying everything we can to get people back on today, but we can't give an indication of when everyone will have their power restored."
A special ferry was organised to take six megawatts of generating capacity to Arran, enough to power 6,000 homes, while a further 5MW was being sources to supply the rest of the island, while 7MW was supplied to Campbeltown.A special ferry was organised to take six megawatts of generating capacity to Arran, enough to power 6,000 homes, while a further 5MW was being sources to supply the rest of the island, while 7MW was supplied to Campbeltown.
More than 14,000 properties suffered power cuts in Dumfries and Galloway, Argyll and Arran on Friday.More than 14,000 properties suffered power cuts in Dumfries and Galloway, Argyll and Arran on Friday.
A spokesman for Scottish Power said: "We have approximately 6,000 homes still off supply in the south-west, predominantly in the Wigtownshire area.A spokesman for Scottish Power said: "We have approximately 6,000 homes still off supply in the south-west, predominantly in the Wigtownshire area.
"We are working closely with the local authority who are seeking to clear roads of snow to allow us to access the faults. The main issues are still blocked roads and snow drifts.""We are working closely with the local authority who are seeking to clear roads of snow to allow us to access the faults. The main issues are still blocked roads and snow drifts."
'Food and heat''Food and heat'
Other areas badly affected by power cuts are around Campbelltown and on the islands of Islay, Jura and parts of Bute, according to Argyll and Bute Council.Other areas badly affected by power cuts are around Campbelltown and on the islands of Islay, Jura and parts of Bute, according to Argyll and Bute Council.
"Contingency arrangements are in place to make sure that people have food, heat and are well cared for," the council said in a statement."Contingency arrangements are in place to make sure that people have food, heat and are well cared for," the council said in a statement.
"Everyone is working closely together to cope with the impact of the severe weather in Argyll and Bute communities and local companies have provided support and equipment.""Everyone is working closely together to cope with the impact of the severe weather in Argyll and Bute communities and local companies have provided support and equipment."
Driving conditions were also widely affected by snow and high winds, mainly in the south-west and north-east.Driving conditions were also widely affected by snow and high winds, mainly in the south-west and north-east.
Several roads were closed in Dumfries and Galloway and Shauan Bythell, from Wigtown, was one of many to become stuck in the snow at about 19:00 on Friday.Several roads were closed in Dumfries and Galloway and Shauan Bythell, from Wigtown, was one of many to become stuck in the snow at about 19:00 on Friday.
He told the BBC on Saturday morning: "I was driving back from Glasgow to Wigtown - it was fine most of the way until more or less Castle Douglas.He told the BBC on Saturday morning: "I was driving back from Glasgow to Wigtown - it was fine most of the way until more or less Castle Douglas.
"At seven o'clock, a lorry had jack-knifed at Palnuir, so since seven o'clock last night we haven't moved.""At seven o'clock, a lorry had jack-knifed at Palnuir, so since seven o'clock last night we haven't moved."
Mr Bythell said he had managed to get some sleep and had extra clothes, wellingtons and food in his car.Mr Bythell said he had managed to get some sleep and had extra clothes, wellingtons and food in his car.
The stranded motorist said there were more than 100 cars stuck on the road, although a Scottish government spokesman said that anyone who remained in their cars had done so voluntarily as it is not aware of anyone not offered a form of accommodation.The stranded motorist said there were more than 100 cars stuck on the road, although a Scottish government spokesman said that anyone who remained in their cars had done so voluntarily as it is not aware of anyone not offered a form of accommodation.
Speed restrictionsSpeed restrictions
Police have advised the public not to travel in the Dumfries and Galloway area because of "extremely dangerous" conditions and to avoid parts of rural Angus.Police have advised the public not to travel in the Dumfries and Galloway area because of "extremely dangerous" conditions and to avoid parts of rural Angus.
Roads were also closed in Ayrshire, Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross, Argyll and Bute and West Lothian and, although all roads were now clear in the Highlands, there was a warning about drifting snow.Roads were also closed in Ayrshire, Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross, Argyll and Bute and West Lothian and, although all roads were now clear in the Highlands, there was a warning about drifting snow.
The Skye, Kessock, Friarton, Tay and Forth Road Bridges all have speed restrictions in place because of strong winds and many ferry routes are disrupted.The Skye, Kessock, Friarton, Tay and Forth Road Bridges all have speed restrictions in place because of strong winds and many ferry routes are disrupted.
Ferries were cancelled between Gourock and Dunnon or Coll and Tiree, with disruption likely on many other routes.Ferries were cancelled between Gourock and Dunnon or Coll and Tiree, with disruption likely on many other routes.
Scotrail said that there were no trains running between Kilmarnock and Carlisle or Ayr and Stranraer because of the snow.Scotrail said that there were no trains running between Kilmarnock and Carlisle or Ayr and Stranraer because of the snow.
Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports were all open - and flights were taking off and landing - but weather problems in other parts of the country meant delays and cancellations were likely.Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports were all open - and flights were taking off and landing - but weather problems in other parts of the country meant delays and cancellations were likely.
The disruption led to a meeting of the Scottish government's Resilience Room (SGoRR) to co-ordinate the response.The disruption led to a meeting of the Scottish government's Resilience Room (SGoRR) to co-ordinate the response.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "According to the Met Office, the cold weather looks set to continue for some time yet, so our winter fleet of 130 vehicles will be working flat out across the weekend on the trunk road network provide gritting and road clearing operations."Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "According to the Met Office, the cold weather looks set to continue for some time yet, so our winter fleet of 130 vehicles will be working flat out across the weekend on the trunk road network provide gritting and road clearing operations."
To access more information from your mobile, visit the BBC Weather and BBC Travel News sites.To access more information from your mobile, visit the BBC Weather and BBC Travel News sites.
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