Widespread disruptions as wintry conditions take hold across Orkney

Much of Orkney has woken to a blanket of snow this morning, causing widespread disruption to travel and all Mainland and linked isles schools and nurseries are closed.

The gritters and ploughs have been out in force since 6am moving around the priority one routes first, before treating others as they can.

Remember sometimes they will not be spreading as they move as they may be heading back to the depot to restock or moving to an area to start – rest assured they are working flat out and will be til 6pm.

We’ve said it many times before, but we will say it again – there’s no magic potion that will clear all snow and ice – and the grit takes time and vehicles to pass over to allow it to do its thing. So, please drive to the conditions.

The waste and recycling teams are also out and about today but the tricky conditions will almost certainly mean they are unable to get around everyone. Really sorry folks but the challenges mean we are unlikely to be able to recollect so the advice is to hold on to your waste or recycling until the next collection date or to put it to one of our Household Waste and Recycling Centres if you’re able and it’s safe to venture out.

If you can, stay home. If you must travel, give yourself extra time.

Take care out there and please check in on people you know who might need an extra hand with things in these tricky conditions.

Lots of handy information about grit bins and which roads we treat, over in our Winter Service Plan.