The battle against the Beast from the East’s impact in Fife continued on Sunday morning as communities rallied around to help life return to normal.
Council teams have been concentrating on clearing snow routes over the weekend, with primary routes being cleared and salted, and major commuter routes are passable with care, although many rural roads are still blocked.
Drifting snow is still causing difficulties and a Yellow weather warning for snow and ice remains in place until Monday.
That said, it is anticipated that many schools are expected to reopen on Monday – with local people mucking in to help clear paths and entrances – and transport options are increasing as every hour goes by.
Most Stagecoach routes are currently operating across Fife, Perth, Dundee and Angus, albeit with some diversions or revised schedules, and ScotRail’s services through Fife are also back up and running as normal.
Fife Council chief executive Steve Grimmond said: “It’s been fantastic to see so many people coming together in such challenging circumstances to clear snow in areas we just haven’t managed to get to.
“Some communities are still struggling with access and we are actively working to open up routes as quickly as possible but the snow fall last night and ongoing drift has been hampering our effort in places.
“Also the sheer quantity of snow means some areas need diggers not snow ploughs.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their patience as we work to get Fife moving again.
“The huge efforts Fifers are making is inspiring and it’s great to see our community spirit is alive and well as neighbours help each other in these challenging times.
“We will continue to work together with you and hope next week brings some respite from these freezing conditions.”
Many schools and council facilities are expected to open on Monday, but the local authority says it will have to monitor weather and travel conditions as well as other factors such as heating.
The council’s contact centre will continue to operate an emergency service only over the weekend.
Fifers are reminded that bin collections should start again on Monday, but the council will not be able to reschedule missed collections. People have been asked not to put out their brown (food and garden waste) bins so bin lorries can focus on other bins.
However, many recycling centres – including Glenrothes, Methil, Dalgety Bay and Kirkcaldy – were open for most of Saturday and will be open from 9am to 5pm on Saturday.
Meals on wheels managed to deliver to most clients again on Saturday and will continue to operate over the weekend. Services are in direct contact with anyone that the team were unable to reach.
The council says it hopes to run limited Ring and Ride and Dial-a-Ride services on Monday for clients who need to attend hospital appointments, while teams in the emergency housing repairs services are out in about in three 4×4 vehicles to tackle priority cases.
Most Fife Sports and Leisure Trust will also be open on Sunday after a phenomenal effort snow clearing on Saturday.
The official list of roads closed was updated at 6.30am, although many more are impassable – particularly in rural areas. The list on Fife Direct is as follows:
Central
B925 – Auchtertool to Mossmorran Roundabout. Closed due to drifting snow – Passable With Care
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
A917 – B942 to Kilconquhar – Closed due to drifting snow – Closed
B9171 – B942 to B9131 closed due to drifting snow – Closed
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
A985 Limekilns Road to the C11 – – Closed
B913 – Saline to Salsgirth – Closed
B9157 – A921 to A909 – Closed
Craigluskar Road to A823 Wellwood – – Closed