Midlothian police and council urge public not to travel, with Met Office warnings for snow and ice in place all week

Midlothian residents have been urged not to travel unless “absolutely necessary,” with weather warnings in place for snow and ice all week.

A Met Office amber warning for snow is in place for Edinburgh and the Lothians until 9pm on Tuesday, and yellow warnings are in place for snow and ice from 4pm on Wednesday until noon on Friday.

Arron Clinkscales, Police Scotland area commander for Midlothian, said: “Please be mindful of the current and impending weather and please only travel when necessary.”

Midlothian Council leader, Derek Milligan, said: “Level four restrictions already mean people shouldn’t be travelling anyway, unless for exempt reasons such as work that can’t be done at home

Heavy snow hit central Scotland on Monday night. Pic: Lisa Ferguson

However, with the heavier than forecast snow overnight and today, some areas in Midlothian have already seen up to 15cms accumulating and that’s going to continue.

“We’ve got all roads crews out gritting round the clock, supplemented with additional staff brought in from other services to clear pavements, paths and car parks on priority main routes.

“Thanks to everyone’s hard work, all priority roads are open but really for absolutely necessary travel only.

“If you do need to travel, you should make sure your car is equipped for the journey with enough fuel, winter tyres if possible and items like extra water, a shovel, blankets and food.”

Midlothian Council’s gritters will be out overnight from Tuesday into Wednesday to treat priority and secondary routes and they will be joined by 5am on Wednesday by crews clearing priority pavements, paths and car parks.

Anyone needing to rearrange a vaccination appointment because of the snow can do so via the NHS Inform Website.

Other council services in Midlothian affected by Tuesday’s snow include waste bin collections being suspended. These will start again as soon as possible.

All adult health and social care day care services were closed on Tuesday, including the hubs and Cherry Road.

Vogrie Country Park has also been closed but it is hoped this will reopen for the weekend.

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