'Just crashed my car, despite driving about 5mph... then I parked and got out and immediately fell flat on my side'
Fresh weather warnings issued as snow and ice cause disruption across region
Last updated 9th Jan 2026
Wintry weather is continuing to cause disruption across the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland today (Friday), as the Met Office issues additional weather warnings for the area.
Former Kelso Provost Dean Weatherston revealed he crashed his car at slow speed in the town this morning, and then slipped on ice as he got out to check for any damage.
The car park at the local swimming pool has also been closed to the public due to the icy conditions, while Borders Buses say its 67 service between Galashiels and Berwick is subject to delays.
Scottish Borders Council revealed freezing rain is affecting roads and pavements which have already been salted.
"Do not drive or walk in Kelso town centre first thing this morning if you value your health or vehicle," Mr Weatherston posted on his Facebook page.
"Just crashed my car turning into Mill Wynd, despite driving about 5mph; it just drifted. Then I parked and got out and immediately fell flat on my side.
"Went to check bollard and witnessed a dog walker fall in The Square."
He added: "I’m absolutely fine. Was nothing I could do, it just slid past the junction and into a bollard, and then struggled to get traction to reverse away from it."
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Elsewhere, the mountain bike uplift service at Innerleithen has been "snowed off" amid concerns over the safety of riders.
And local MSP Christine Grahame has cancelled her planned surgery at Tesco in Peebles, "due to adverse travelling conditions".
She said: "I’m really sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. The safety of constituents and staff must come first."
A warm hub is opeing at the community wing in Newtown St Boswells from 12.30pm today for anyone in need of a hot drink and a blether.
The road between Duns and Berwick was closed for a time overnight due to the slippery conditions.
Meanwhile, the weather is also having an impact on what is billed as one of Britain's toughest endurance events.
More than 160 athletes are embarking on a 268-mile route along the Pennine Way for this year's Spine Race, which gets underway at Edale in Derbyshire on Sunday - with competitors being given seven days to reach the finish in Kirk Yetholm.
Race director Phil Hayday-Brown told us: "They (the authorities) have closed roads, they've stopped trains; we've had to delay the start of the Challenger South to allow people to make it to registration, because we guessed a lot of people wouldn't be making because of the travel situation."
The current weather warning ends at midday today, with a new yellow warning for snow and ice taking its place until 3pm on Saturday - with ice "a widespread hazard".
Up to 10cm of snow is possible on Sunday, with a further weather warning running from 2am to 3pm.
Kelso racecourse has already taken the decision to abandon this weekend's meeting.
Many of this weekend's other sporting fixtures have also been called off due to the cold weather.
But the rugby clash between Melrose and Currie is on after being moved to the Oriam, and will now kick off at 6pm on Saturday.
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According to staff at Laughing Ducks Soft Play in Coldstream, the town "is like an ice rink this morning".
A spokesperson said: "Very slippery but accessible with care today. Main road is fine. We are open as normal just now, but will monitor the weather through the day. If you have a booking but would rather not travel just get in touch - we are more than happy to move it to a different day."
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