Intense activity on Moray roads to keep traffic flowing

Crews clearing roads, collecting bins and transporting children and adults to schools and services have been flat out battling the wintry weather in Moray.

Gritting teams were out from before dawn clearing priority routes, some of which were deep with drifting snow. Coastal towns were particularly badly hit with a heavy fall on Thursday evening. A number of HGVs became stuck on the A98 west bound out of Cullen, preventing gritting trucks getting to Portknockie.

Abandoned cars on the A942 added to the problems, and the drivers were only located late today (Friday).

Teams were diverted from less-affected areas to coastal zones to keep roads clear, and staff from other services were drafted in to assist with town-centre pavements and roads.

Chief executive of Moray Council, Roddy Burns, messaged all staff to thank them for ‘getting the job done’.

He said: “The recent and ongoing weather conditions have created a challenging environment for the council to deliver our services, but I have been immensely impressed by how all of you have faced that challenge.

“As in other times when we have endured emergencies or difficult circumstances, you always come through. I want to add my sincere thanks to those already received from the public on our social media for your hard work and determination to get the job done.

“I know many staff have themselves endured longer and more difficult journeys to work to make sure services are maintained. From high-profile tasks like gritting and collecting refuse, providing care to the most vulnerable in our communities and ensuring the support that keeps the offices open and functioning is in place, I am grateful to you all for your commitment to the council and to Moray communities.”

Maintenance teams at the council’s vehicle depot in Elgin have meantime been working long shifts to keep the gritting vehicles on the road. Refuse collections have been affected in some areas due to road conditions. Bins not collected should be left out on Monday by 7.30am as extra collections will be laid on.

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live. Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.