Schools to shut again tomorrow
Eric Baxter • Published 7 Dec 2010 16:50
ARCTIC conditions continued to cause major problems across Inverclyde today - including the closure of all schools.
Inverclyde Council announced all educational establishments would be shut as yesterday's massive snowstorm, followed by freezing temperatures, left the roads covered in ice this morning.
And council chiefs confirmed this afternoon that all schools will be shut again tomorrow.
Clyde Coastguard was involved in helping ambulance personnel get to work throughout the west of Scotland yesterday and would be doing the same today if needed.
They used their four-wheel drive vehicles to provide lifts for staff who were unable to drive in their own cars because of the snow and ice.
Some of the workers were taken to the control centre in Cardonald so they could deal with 999 calls, while paramedics were dropped off at ambulance stations to deal with emergencies.
A Coastguard spokesman said five vehicles provided assistance.
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said the coastguard had helped out across the whole of the west of Scotland and added: "It is pretty unusual, but working with the coastguard is part of our contingency plan."
Surprisingly, police reported no weather-related incidents, but urged motorists and pedestrians to stay at home unless their journey was absolutely necessary.
A spokesman said: "Road conditions are treacherous across Inverclyde."
Inverclyde's education convener, councillor Iain McKenzie, said the council's corporate management team were continually assessing the conditions.
James Watt College was closed yesterday and again today.
Bus operator McGill's said more than 50 per cent of its fleet was operating within Inverclyde, including to the top of Clune Brae, but buses could not get to Trumpethill or upper Skelmorlie.
Trains on the Gourock and Wemyss Bay lines are subject to delay and cancellation.
Last night's Greenock Players' 'Sinbad' panto at the Arts Guild was cancelled because of the weather.
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 07 Dec 10
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