Heavy snows strike Borders roads

Fresh overnight snowfalls have left many routes in the Borders in a poor condition

Heavy snow showers overnight have left many roads across the Borders in a poor condition.

Between 4in and 5in of snow has fallen in some parts of the region with Berwickshire, the Heriot area and Soutra particularly badly affected.

A severe weather warning was issued just before midnight.

Scottish Borders Council's winter control desk said that all routes were still passable with care and gritting crews had been out all night.

The authority said it was keeping a careful eye on the use of salt supplies after admitting no fresh deliveries were expected "over the next few weeks".

With the possibility of more snow and low temperatures forecast for the region until into the New Year, the council said it was undertaking an "essential review" of its current stocks.

At the moment the authority has 15 days of salt supplies left for the Borders roads network.

It said it would continue to put pressure on suppliers and the Scottish government to maintain an "acceptable" level of salt stock.

It added that priority would be given to trunk and primary routes.

The snow has not affected neighbouring Dumfries and Galloway overnight, but police there have warned of the dangers of black ice.

A spokesman said the A75 route to the ferry ports in the west of the region was particularly badly affected.