Union claims power supply delays

The union claims reconnection has been delayed

Efforts to reconnect electricity supplies cut off in blizzard conditions have been delayed by industrial action, according to a trade union.

Hundreds of homes in south west Scotland remained without power on Saturday evening following the severe storms which hit the country on Friday morning.

Electricity supplier Scottish Power denied that an overtime ban had an affect on the speed of reconnection and insisted that it followed its normal practice of using a mixture of staff and contractors to repair any damage.

About 200 homes in the north of Scotland were also without power on Saturday evening as electricity supplier Hydro-Electric battled to reconnect them following the gale force winds and freezing temperatures which hit the area on Friday.

Dougie Rooney: "Considerable inconvenience"

As temperatures plunged to -8C for a second night, the AEEU claimed that an overtime ban, in place as part of industrial action over a contract dispute had succeeded in damaging Scottish Power's ability to deal with the storms.

Dougie Rooney of the AEEU said: "Regrettably I think it is going to be the case that there will be considerable inconvenience.

"What I would suggest to the general public is that they pick up the phone and express their views to Scottish Power that they should perhaps treat their employees a bit better and this would not happen."

Snow and ice also caused disruption on roads in the north of Scotland for a second day.

Grampian Police said drifting snow and ice made driving conditions treacherous particularly over high ground, but there was no repeat of the strong winds which brought down power lines and trees on Friday.

Adverse weather conditions

The severe weather has also affected the world of sport with many football matches called off.

And one of Scotland's largest dance events was cancelled due to bad weather.

Organisers of the Christmas Glam Party cancelled the annual celebration at the Aberdeen Exhibition Centre.

A spokesman for the centre said the decision was taken due to the "adverse weather conditions" and fears over the safety of revellers planning to travel to the dance event.

A number of top DJs were due to perform including Judge Jules and Dave Pearce.

Fans will receive a full ticket refund from the point of purchase.