Police Scotland advises against unnecessary travel as the nation faces severe conditions with snow, high winds, and heavy rain.
Police Scotland has issued a travel statement following the issuance of amber and yellow weather warnings across most of Scotland.
There is a high risk of disruption and travel conditions may be hazardous. Motorists are advised to consider whether they need to travel and consider delaying journeys. - Police Scotland
Superintendent Vinnie Fisher, deputy head of Road Policing, said: "All road users should consider if they really need to travel in adverse weather."
Met Office issue amber and yellow weather warnings
According to the Met Office, "heavy rain, strong winds and disruptive snow to parts of the UK" are expected over the weekend due to the incoming storm.
An amber weather warning was issued for parts of The Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross, and Angus due to Storm Bert, but it has since been downgraded to a yellow warning.
ScotRail had suspended services due to severe weather conditions brought by Storm Bert. However, the situation has improved, and operations have now recovered. Trains are running on schedule, and services are back to normal, ensuring passengers can travel without disruption.
The Queensferry Crossing has been closed as a safety precaution "due to a risk of falling ice." Transport Scotland's operating company, BEAR Scotland, decided at 10:20 to close the bridge after ice was observed falling from the bridge's stay cables above the carriageway. M90 traffic has been stopped while automated barriers at either end of the Queensferry Crossing are being moved into position to redirect the motorway over the neighbouring Forth Road Bridge.
Dave Bishop, BEAR Scotland's South East Unit Bridges Manager, stated: "Safety is our top priority, so we always have patrols out monitoring for ice on the Queensferry Crossing's cables when forecasts suggest this is a possibility." He added, "We've now observed ice falling so have taken the decision to close the bridge."
"A diversion via the Forth Road Bridge is currently being opened and we expect traffic to be on the move again within the hour. Drivers are advised to adhere to Red X signs for safety or there could be longer wait times for the diversion to be activated."
Bishop concluded, "We're grateful to road users for their patience and understanding during this severe weather event. We'll issue further updates in due course."
For the latest weather information and warnings, visit the Met Office website:
here
