Whiteout causes chaos on roads

Lorraine Tinney • Published 26 Feb 2010 10:00

BLIZZARD conditions caused chaos in Inverclyde yesterday as drivers and pedestrians struggled to get to work.

Ten schools and nurseries were shut and cars became stuck or were abandoned.

All the closed schools in Inverclyde re-opened this morning after weather conditions improved.

Pupils from St Stephen's and Port Glasgow secondaries, Newark, St Michael's, St Francis', Kilmacolm, Overton primaries, Rainbow Nursery and Glenburn and Lilybank Schools had been told to stay at home.

Many other schools sent pupils home early because of the snow.

In some parts of Port Glasgow yesterday, the snow was a foot deep. John Service, of Service Hairdressers in Dubbs Road, Port Glasgow, was shocked to see cars skidding around.

John said: "Traffic has come to a complete standstill. The top of Port Glasgow is a total shambles. People can't get into any of the shops. Greenock and Gourock are free of snow, so there must be plenty of gritters to spare."

Dental nurse Diane Swanson, of Crosshill Dental Surgery, was out clearing the snow.

She said: "The snow was knee deep in some parts. We had a lot of cancellations but we had to stay open in case some patients turned up.

"Upper Port Glasgow was really bad. Cars were skidding and sliding around the road and lots of cars were abandoned."

Dubbs Road was closed temporarily after a lorry jack-knifed at 1.30pm, while another car got stuck and blocked Moorfield Avenue.

But the whiteout was a winter wonderland for youngsters, who enjoyed an extra holiday, making snowmen, sledging and even skiing.

Teacher June Falconer, at St Joseph's Primary in Greenock, was inspired by the Winter Olympics to get the kids out skiing.

She said: "It's like the North Pole. The snow is worse now than it was at Christmas. It's been showing for the last 24 hours and it's about a foot deep. We got the kids out with metre sticks and tennis rackets and I joked they were practising for the Olympics."

Sleet is expected this afternoon followed by light snow this evening and overnight but the weather is expected to improve tomorrow with sunny intervals in the afternoon following snow flurries in the morning.

Sergeant Iain Gray, of the road policing department, urged motorists to remain vigilant. He said: "I would advise drivers to give more time for their journey and to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front and to take extra care on minor routes."

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 26 Feb 10

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