Snow and ice cause travel disruption across Ayrshire

The Met Office have issued an amber be prepared warning for heavy snow and ice across much of South West Scotland including Cumnock, Doon Valley and Upper Nithsdale between 3pm today (Tuesday) and 8am tomorrow (Wednesday).

The A713 between Dalmellington and Ayr Hospital and the B741 between Dalmellington and New Cumnock were closed by Police Scotland at various points throughout the day due to accidents caused by the weather. The A76 has also been closed between New Cumnock and Kirkconnel due to the snow.

One reader, Gillian Holloway-Botha, sent in the picture above of the B741 at 8am this morning.

Lesleyanne Baird posted the picture, below, to our Facebook page of the snow in Bellsbank today.

A Stagecoach bus became stuck in the snow at Hollybush this morning before another became stuck in at New Cumnock Station with services across Cumnock and Doon Valley experiencing delays.

On Twitter, Stagecoach said: "#Ayr #NewCumnock due to adverse weather conditions the 43 will continue to be curtailed at New Cumnock Rail Station and will be subject to extensive delays. Sorry for any inconvenience caused by the loss of this service round Lime Road and the delays."

They have also said that "due to adverse weather conditions this morning we are experiencing extensive delays and part/possible cancelations across our network. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause."

Any disruption to train travel in the area was minimal however, Scotrail did tweet about the conditions at New Cumnock.

Schools in Bellsbank, Patna, Dalmellington and Littlemill have also been closed due to the weather. East Ayrshire Council posted on their website that Patna Primary, St Xaviers Primary, Bellsbank Primary, Dalmellington Primary, Doon Academy and Littlemill Primary were closed for the day but that they expect them to open as normal tomorrow.

With the new amber warning in place, the council are also set to close some schools early. Pupils will be picked up at Auchinleck Academy at 2.30pm with buses at Cumnock Academy for 2.50pm. Pupils who required transport to Muirkirk Primary and St Patrick's Primary would be collected and taken home at 2pm.

However, Cumnock Academy have said that their information evening regard S4 and S5 subject choices will go ahead tonight.

Community group yipworld posted on Twitter that their planned youth groups would be on tonight.

Dumfries and Galloway Council have also said on Twitter that bins would not be collected in Upper Nithsdale as the roads were not suitable for their refuse vehicles. East Ayrshire Council have also suspended recycling collections in Bellsbank.

The Met Office had put a yellow weather warning for snow and ice in place from yesterday afternoon until Wednesday for much of Scotland with a further warning for snow in place until Thursday morning.