Salt stocks to be replenished as 11 schools are shut by snow

Shetland is again running short of salt to treat the roads as the ploughs are kept busy with the latest snowfalls.

Monday’s problems have mainly been confined to the North Isles and the West Side where deeper snow led to the closure of 11 schools. The schools service said on Monday afternoon no decision would be taken on closures for Tuesday until early in the morning.

With some heavy snow showers around lunchtime on Monday the roads service was considering mounting a convoy system to send gritters out in front of commuters heading out of Lerwick at 5pm. But head of roads Ian Halcrow said the snow had stopped, road crews were managing to plough down to the road surface and it was decided no convoys were needed.

Meanwhile a ship is due in Lerwick on Tuesday night with another 2,500 tonnes of salt from Teeside to replenish stocks around Shetland. Mr Halcrow said: “We’re hoping that will save our bacon.”

There is still a national shortage of road salt and to do its bit to help the council has been bulking it out with grit for use on side roads.

The schools closed on Monday were in Unst, Yell, Fetlar, Whalsay, Aith, Walls and Skeld while in Foula the school shut at lunchtime.