Snow and rain batter region

Jan 31 2013 by Andrew McNair, Galloway News

A weekend of extreme weather caused major problems in the region - closing roads near Crocketford and Kirkpatrick Durham.

Heavy snow turned to torrential rain, wreaking havoc on schools, roads, properties and also the Big Burns Supper celebrations.

The issues started on Friday morning when an amber warning of snow was issued by the Met Office and various schools in the region were forced to close as police warned motorists to drive with care and avoid travel where possible.

On Saturday, after heavy rain in the Stewartry, several roads were shut because of rising flood water, including the A712 Crocketford to Balmaclellan Road and the B794 route between the A712 and the A75, through Kirkpatrick Durham.

The weather also ruined one of the region’s biggest events of the year.

The Big Burns Supper opening show in Dumfries had to be cancelled over concerns about the safety of more than 500 schoolchildren who were due to take part.

Kids had been due to participate from across the Stewartry but organisers took the decision early on Friday to get the children back home as the weather deteriorated.

Festival director Graham Main said: “We understand the community will be disappointed, as will the hundreds of school children who worked tirelessly for months preparing for the show.

“However, the safety of the audience and participants has to be our first priority and it is with this in mind that the decision was made to cancel.”

The worst of the weather appeared to hit Dumfries with Friday’s snow being followed by torrential rain on Saturday – which mixed with melting snow led to flooding.