Moray Council’s winter arrangements have been defended after a gritter crash left staff short of cover.
Several collisions including one involving several vehicles on the Mundole road near the A96 Forres to Nairn road junction and an overturned car near the Mill of Tynet on the A98 Buckie to Fochabers road were reported by police.
Meanwhile, complaints were sent to the authority on social media following concerns about the condition of walking routes.
Last night council leader Graham Leadbitter explained a sharp drop in temperature followed by freezing rain had combined to make the “worst combination” to keep routes clear while also praising staff for performing the “risky” job to protect others.
He said: “The weather did not pan out as predicted. Winter treatment of our roads is not an exact science and sometimes the conditions can be much worse or better than predicted.
“Sometimes, despite everyone’s efforts, things still go wrong – whether that is for the general public or for our own team.
“The forecast, fortunately, is now for a bit of respite with mostly dry weather across the region.”
Mr Leadbitter explained the gritter driver involved in the crash was not seriously injured but had been “shaken up”.
Last night Moray Council had gritters deployed across the region from the Cairngorms to the coast with more treatments planned this morning.