OIC warns road users to ‘take care’ as wintery weather continues

Orkney Islands Council has urged drivers to remain careful as wintery conditions continue to affect the county.

“While we avoided much in the way of snow showers overnight, road conditions are still challenging as per our update last night,” an OIC spokeswoman said this morning, Wednesday.

“We had a road surface temperature low of -6 degrees in Kirkwall and -9 degrees at Rango.

“One of the key concerns we have now is that any melt late yesterday has re-frozen. So please bear this in mind — road surface temperatures will remain stubbornly low today, roads that look wet may well be icy, and there may be slippy frozen layers under snow.”

According to OIC, all “priority one” routes (major roads) are passable with care, although there are still some narrow sections and sections with compacted (and slippy) snow. Problem areas have had several passes with the gritters/boards to widen and treat.

“Widening and tidying will continue through the day on junctions and Priority Two and Three routes, with treatment/salting following,” the spokeswoman added.

“As last night, still a few problem areas to avoid if you can for now:

“Just passable — Ireland Road, Heddle Road, Germiston Road, Holm

“Priority Two Routes, Hillside Road and Lyde Road.

“The remainder of Priority Two Routes are passable with care. Our advice remains to stick to to major routes as much as possible.

“Take care, and remember to allow extra time for journeys.”