Road blocked amid travel disruption as snow and ice alert issued

A tree which blocked a railway line in Aberdeenshire has been cleared amid a fourth yellow weather warning for snow and ice for many parts of Scotland.

Passengers travelling on the line between Keith and Huntly faced journeys being cancelled, delayed or revised said ScotRail.

Network Rail said engineers tasked with removing the fallen tree were delayed by heavy snow before it was cleared around 10am.

A fresh Met Office warning was issued on Wednesday for snow and ice across Aberdeenshire, Moray, the Highlands and Islands, Argyll and Bute and North Ayrshire.

Travel disruption is expected as the warning runs from 10am on Wednesday until midday on Thursday.

A road connecting Beauly and Drumnadrochit has been closed after being deemed impassable by police.

A Police Scotland statement read: “The A833 Culnakirk Road between Beauly and Drumnadrochit has been deemed impassable and is now closed.

“Belladrum and Kiltarlity can still be accessed from the north.

“The Highland Council are currently mobilising snowploughs and gritters to clear the road in the hope that it can be reopened soon.”

ScotRail said ticket acceptance had been put on Stagecoach North buses on services between Inverness and Aberdeen, Inverness and Nairn and between Aberdeen and Dyce and Aberdeen and Inverurie.

Network Rail confirmed an empty train ran ahead of the first passenger services between Inverness and Keith following the removal of the tree.

Transport Scotland urged members of the public to plan journeys in advance and check updates for rail, ferry and air travel.

Another warning for rain and snow this weekend was issued on Wednesday afternoon covering 27 areas in Scotland, with more disruption expected.

A spokesperson said: “The Met Office has issued a number of severe weather warnings for much of the country for snow and ice for the rest of the week, including the weekend.

“We should expect more freezing temperatures so we’re asking the public to make sure they plan their journeys in advance, as challenging conditions could impact the transport network.

“Please drive to the conditions and follow any Police Scotland travel advice that’s in place.

“There may be disruption on other modes of transport, so you should check with your operators before setting off if you’re planning to travel by rail, ferry or air.

“Motorists can check with Traffic Scotland to make sure that their route is available.

“The Traffic Scotland website gives people access to the latest travel information and the Traffic Scotland X page is also updated regularly.

“Make sure you are winter ready, and as well as checking the latest travel info, have a fully equipped winter kit in your vehicle, just in case.”

Fourth day of disruption across Scotland

On Tuesday, a bus overturned and blocked a road in Aberdeenshire as temperatures plunged

Gritters have been out in force amid weather warnings for snow and ice. The coldest temperature recorded overnight on Tuesday was -11.2C in Braemar.

A man also died following a crash involving three vehicles and a lorry on the A9 in Perth and Kinross.

We are still in autumn, as winter doesn’t officially begin until December 1.

The last time temperatures were lower than -10.8C at this time of year was in 2016 – before that the previous low was 2010, according to STV weather presenter Philip Petrie.

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