Moray MSP praises all the snow-clearing efforts

Richard Lochhead has thanked Moray Council crews and everyone else involved in clearing the drifting snow from the roads over the weekend.

Moray's MSP stated that community spirit had come to the fore in difficult circumstances.

As well as thanking council workers and local farmers, he also lauded the volunteers from the Community Offroad Transport Action Group (COTAG).

Mr Lochhead said: "Conditions over the weekend were incredibly challenging with high winds causing snow drifts that made many roads across Moray completely unpassable.

"It’s been many years since we’ve seen anything like the conditions over the weekend and it took an incredible effort from the council’s roads teams, COTAG, local farmers and volunteers, to tackle the snow and get the roads cleared.

"I know that in parts of Moray that works continues and I’d just people to check whether it is safe to travel before they head off, and would remind people that we should only be travelling for essential purposes.

"In tough circumstances, as always, Moray's community spirit shown through and although we’re not out of the woods just yet, hopefully we’re now seeing an improvement in the weather."

COTAG was set up in 2004 to help in such circumstances

Its 20 or so volunteers have undergone training to use 4x4 vehicles and associated equipment, on and off the public highway.

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