BEAR Scotland’s north west winter programme gets on the Road
BEAR Scotland News
66,500 tonnes of salt in stock ready to tackle winter weather in north west
As temperatures continue to fall, road users are advised that BEAR Scotland’s winter maintenance services are fully underway on trunk roads in the North West of Scotland.
And working alongside Highland Council, in support of Transport Scotland’s ‘Ready for Winter’ campaign, there are now 66,500 tonnes of salt in stock for use on roads in the North West of Scotland.
BEAR’s winter maintenance team works around the clock to analyse detailed weather forecasts and information from 49 roadside weather stations to ensure treatments are carried out at necessary times.
The forecasts and data are used to decide when routes require salt treatment. Much of this information will also be available to the public on the Traffic Scotland website, meaning that drivers have access to the latest information to help plan their journeys
There are over 51 vehicles involved in carrying out precautionary winter patrols, treatments, and snow clearance on the 1,330km of trunk roads maintained by BEAR in the North West, and over 100 fully trained and experienced employees that deal with winter related activities.
Overnight patrols are provided on thirteen routes across the North West. Vehicles are fitted with mobile road surface temperature sensors to allow real-time monitoring of conditions on the network by BEAR’s control room on a “24/7” basis right up till the middle of May.
As well as having 21,000 tonnes of salt in stock ready to cope with any demands that another severe winter might bring, BEAR has three snow blowers in the North West that are capable of moving up to 400 tonnes of snow per hour.
Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s Operating Company Representative for the North West, said:
“We have over 100 operatives trained and ready to deal with winter across the trunk roads that we maintain in the North West of Scotland. Our winter control room monitors road conditions on a 24/7 basis meaning we can act quickly to changing winter weather conditions. Our top priority is to keep the roads safe for road users.
“We use pre-wetted salting, a more effective way of spreading salt because it helps the crystals stick to the road and starts the melting process much more quickly.
“Of course, we ask that motorists also play their part by being fully prepared for winter too. This includes ensuring their vehicle is well maintained, that they pay close attention to local and national media and information websites to help plan journeys during inclement weather and that they carry equipment to help themselves should conditions deteriorate.”
BEAR Scotland and Highland Council also work together in supporting the Scottish Government’s Ready for Winter Campaign. Highland Council is responsible for 6,700km of roads in the area and has increased its winter maintenance budget to £5.6 million per year. Introducing an improved service this winter, it also holds 45,500 tonnes of salt in storage in readiness for winter.
Councillor Graham Phillips, Chair, The Highland Council’s Transport Environment and Community Services Committee, said: “We are encouraging individuals, families, businesses and communities across the Highlands to think ahead and be prepared for winter and all kinds of severe weather.”
This winter, BEAR Scotland is also joining forces with Transport Scotland and Traffic Scotland to use #keepscotmove on Twitter so that road users can see some of the efforts that are being made to help them get around.
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN WINTER: