Disruption due to the weather is expected to continue well into the weekend in Fife, but the region is slowly returning to normal.
Although the Met Office warning has changed to Yellow, the accumulation of snow combined with winds, drifting and very low temperatures means conditions around the Kingdom remain very poor with many roads blocked.
Military personnel are among those who have been drafted in to help out, following requests from NHS Fife and Tayside to help transport essential staff to and from their hospitals, given their more rural nature and increased staff travelling distances and times in the snow.
Up to 30 vehicles and 60 personnel drawn from Royal Marine Condor in Arbroath, Scots Dragoon Guards from Leuchars and RAF Lossiemouth in Moray will be out and about over the weekend.
An MOD spokesperson said: “The armed forces are assisting emergency services in ensuring essential NHS staff are able to get to work and carry out their work in local communities and are standing by to help the police and civil authorities across the UK following heavy snowfall.
“We are also aware of armed forces personnel volunteering in their own time with their own vehicles to help those in need.”
Limited train and bus services are operating once again in Fife, while many shops, council services and facilities are also back up and running.
Fife services are operating to Sunday timetables today, but see list posted here for any diversions or suspended services> https://t.co/eFzRNNhT0O. Dundee/Angus/Perthshire/Blairgowrie services operating normal Sat timetables with some exceptions also available from the link
— Stagecoach East Scot (@StagecoachEScot) March 3, 2018
Trains started running through the region on Friday evening, and a phased reintroduction of services is anticipated. Trains are operating between Dundee and Edinburgh.
A ScotRail spokesperson said: “Our railway network faces a lot of challenges as we work to get it back up and running.
“We are working night and day to resolve all these problems and get as many routes open as possible, and we’re grateful for the continued patience of our customers.”
Fife Council is still advising people not to travel unless necessary, although anyone who does venture out is being urged to plan ahead, check forecasts and be prepared for major delays.
Snow routes – a prioritised section of the road network – continue to be repeatedly ploughed but the high winds and drifting snow are still causing setbacks.
Major commuter routes are passable with care, and primary routes are being ploughed and salted across the weekend.
Steve Grimmond, Fife Council chief executive, said: “We’re using additional assistance from contractors to open up sections of main roads blocked by drifting but the situation continues to be challenging.
“We are treating the priority 1 footpaths too, but given the difficulties on the main part of the network, we haven’t yet been able to divert ploughs on to lower category roads.
“We know it’s very frustrating and concerning for people, but crews are working round the clock to try and clear the roads and hundreds of staff diverted from their usual day jobs are helping to clear paths.
“Although we use the term ‘lower priority’ around roads, of course we know that being able to leave home and get to the shops or to work is a priority for everyone.
“But please be patient and bear with us as we try to reach all of Fife’s communities.”
Schools and other council facilities are expected to open as normal on Monday, although a decision on that will be taken on Sunday afternoon.
Bin collection have been cancelled this week with the aim of restarting uplifts on Monday but missed collections will not be rescheduled, while larger recycling centres should reopen this weekend.
People have also been asked not to put their brown (food and garden waste) bins out next week as they will not be collected.
Meals on wheels managed to deliver to most clients on Friday and will continue to operate over the weekend. Services are in direct contact with anyone that the team were unable to reach. A limited Ring and Ride and Dial a Ride service is expected on Monday for people who need to attend hospital appointments,
Mr Grimmond continued: “All around Fife people are going to great lengths to help others deal with these extreme conditions.
“I know many council employees who couldn’t make it into work are clearing snow in their area, visiting families we know to be vulnerable, delivering shopping to people with mobility issues, even delivering prescriptions on foot from a village pharmacy.
“And of course, it’s not just council staff – other public sector, voluntary agencies and Fifers everywhere are chipping in and doing some heroic things. Huge thanks to everyone.
“At times like this it doesn’t have to take a lot to be a hero. We know many places are cut off and many other people are confined to their homes – please check on your neighbours if you can.
“Some people are struggling for food and basic supplies and others may be lonely, worried or cold.
“Equally people can help the most vulnerable in our communities by keeping our phone lines free.
“We’re finding many people are still calling about non-emergency issues which means people in greatest need can’t get through to talk to us.
“By working together we can help each other through a very difficult weekend and hopefully find the challenge subsides next week.”
Hospital and health centre staff continue to work away in spite of the conditions, although NHS Fife has confirmed that all outpatient clinics in Fife have been cancelled this weekend.
Most theatres, museums and libraries operated by ON at Fife have reopened this weekend, albeit a number of shows have been cancelled, while Fife Sports and Leisure Trust said leisure centres and pools will only reopen to staff only on Saturday to work on making facilities accessible to customers.
Pitreavie, Lumphinnans and Waterstone Crook will remain closed over the weekend.
A number of roads remain closed or virtually impassible. They are as follows:
Central
A921 Kirkcaldy to Burntisland – Various narrow sections. – Passable With Care
B9157 Inverteil Road, Kirkcaldy – Narrow sections between Inverteil Farm and Kirkcaldy – Passable With Care
B925 – Auchtertool to Mossmorran Roundabout. Closed due to drifting snow – Closed
B930 Percival Road, Buckhaven – Between Buckhaven and A915 Standing Stane Road. – Passable With Care
C32 Star of Markinch – Star of Markinch to Kennoway – Passable With Care
C33 Glenrothes Airport to Auchmuir Bridge – Drifting north of Airport Road – Passable With Care
C50 Auchmuir Bridge Road – Snow drifting over the length – Passable With Care
East
A912 Strathmiglo to New Inn – Narrow sections due to drifting snow – Passable With Care
A915 Largoward to Upper Largo – Between Lathallan and Upper Largo – Closed
A916 Struthers Bends to Letham Feus – Narrow sections due to drifting – Passable With Care
West
A823 – Knockhill – Closed
A907 Dunfermline to Gartary Roundabout, Kincardine – Various locations along length of road blocked by snow drifts. – Passable With Care
A909 – Burntisland to Bernard Smithy – Closed
B913 – Saline to Salsgirth – Closed
B9157 – A921 to A909 – Closed