IT will the biggest battle of the winter and will likely feature an IceStriker versus the Beast from the East.
New specialist equipment has been added to Scotland’s winter fleet in a bid to keep the country moving in the months ahead.
In anticipation of a repeat of last winter’s Beast from the East snowstorm, which saw hundreds of drivers stranded on the M80 overnight, a powerful HillTip IceStriker has been imported from Finland.
Fitted with a V plow, the IceStriker will be trialled on the motorway to ensure recovery teams can access incidents in the most challenging conditions.
Transport Scotland revealed yesterday that specialist snow plans are being developed for the M8, M74, M77 and M80 in conjunction with operating companies and Police Scotland, following what they called “significant snow events” on these routes in recent years.
More than 200 traditional gritters are located at 42 depots across the country while the new equipment added to the fleet includes an electric-powered spreader, which will be deployed as a patrol vehicle on the M8, and a customised Unimog, capable of spreading enhanced liquid de-icer.
More support and information is also being made available to drivers to help them make decisions about their journeys in wintry conditions.
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: “We can’t prevent the challenging weather we see during the winter period but our teams work all year round to ensure we’re fully prepared and ready to respond when difficult conditions set in.
“The challenges faced during the ‘Beast from the East’ are still fresh in the memory, so we have looked to make improvements across the board, from equipment and treatments to information and advice for travellers.
“As always, the Traffic Scotland mobile site – my.trafficscotland.org – provides up-to-date information on the trunk road network, the @trafficscotland Twitter page is regularly updated and the popular gritter tracker is also available.
“Transport Scotland officials will continue to work with Police Scotland, the Met Office and other partner organisations to ensure we have a joined-up approach to keep Scotland moving this winter.”
Representatives from Police Scotland and the Met Office will be based at the Traffic Scotland national control centre in South Queensferry during the winter period.
Police Scotland has revised its travel advice to ensure drivers get clear, concise advice on conditions.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams said: “Motorists found the numbering system we were using to indicate the severity of travel warnings confusing as it didn’t directly relate to the weather warnings issued by the Met Office. As a result, we’ve decided to replace it with a system which is more specific and targeted.
“Our new system will make advice much clearer for drivers of all types of vehicles and we’ll be issuing specific guidance to drivers of goods vehicles, buses and also to drivers of vehicles which may be vulnerable to being blown over on exposed routes.
“Winter driving is a question of common sense and drivers should ask themselves if they really need to travel when conditions are poor.”
Police advised motorists to ensure they have sufficient fuel and supplies such as warm clothing, food and water and a charged mobile phone.
The Met Office revised its weather warnings earlier this year and has launched a daily YouTube broadcast, dedicated to conditions in Scotland.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here