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12/10/2015
Scotland's Winter Fleet 'At Full Strength'
The Scottish Government has said its winter fleet is at 'full strength' as it prepares for the cold season.
Over 50 new gritting trucks will be deployed on Scotland's roads this winter.
A total of 205 machines will spread salt and plough snow across the country's trunk roads.
When severe wintry weather is experienced, all available vehicles will be deployed to provide support and help deal with any breakdowns or issues.
Since 2014, 57 new modern gritters have been brought into replace some older vehicles, with 29 larger than previous machines.
In addition, more salt has either been purchased or on order than was used across the whole of last winter.
Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: "We always have to be prepared for the worst weather. Extensive planning and efforts go into keeping Scotland's transport network running across the winter and this year will be no exception.
"We are doing all we can to try to mitigate the impact of whatever the weather can throw at us with more new gritters on our trunk roads. These are state of the art vehicles that can spread even more salt. This represents a strengthened fleet, with greater capacity and high levels of equipment and grit in stock.
"We are ambitious for our transport network and we want to see continual improvement."
The National Traffic Control Centre at South Queensferry will continue to act as a hub for operations, while information on weather and road conditions will be available on the Traffic Scotland website.
Police Scotland are also advising drivers to check their vehicles before winter to reduce the risk of being involved in a breakdown or a collision due to vehicle defects such as weak batteries, faulty lighting, dirty windscreens and illegal tyres.
Superintendent Fraser Candlish said: "We all want to keep moving safely this winter, and a few simple precautions taken by drivers to prepare themselves and their vehicles for the winter ahead will reduce the risk of avoidable breakdowns or collisions that cause injuries and lengthy hold-ups on our roads."
(LM/JP)
Over 50 new gritting trucks will be deployed on Scotland's roads this winter.
A total of 205 machines will spread salt and plough snow across the country's trunk roads.
When severe wintry weather is experienced, all available vehicles will be deployed to provide support and help deal with any breakdowns or issues.
Since 2014, 57 new modern gritters have been brought into replace some older vehicles, with 29 larger than previous machines.
In addition, more salt has either been purchased or on order than was used across the whole of last winter.
Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: "We always have to be prepared for the worst weather. Extensive planning and efforts go into keeping Scotland's transport network running across the winter and this year will be no exception.
"We are doing all we can to try to mitigate the impact of whatever the weather can throw at us with more new gritters on our trunk roads. These are state of the art vehicles that can spread even more salt. This represents a strengthened fleet, with greater capacity and high levels of equipment and grit in stock.
"We are ambitious for our transport network and we want to see continual improvement."
The National Traffic Control Centre at South Queensferry will continue to act as a hub for operations, while information on weather and road conditions will be available on the Traffic Scotland website.
Police Scotland are also advising drivers to check their vehicles before winter to reduce the risk of being involved in a breakdown or a collision due to vehicle defects such as weak batteries, faulty lighting, dirty windscreens and illegal tyres.
Superintendent Fraser Candlish said: "We all want to keep moving safely this winter, and a few simple precautions taken by drivers to prepare themselves and their vehicles for the winter ahead will reduce the risk of avoidable breakdowns or collisions that cause injuries and lengthy hold-ups on our roads."
(LM/JP)
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18 December 2009
AA Expresses Winter Concerns
The AA warned earlier this week that some local authorities may not have learned lessons from last February’s problems with gritting on the roads. Now the Chairman of the UK Roads Liaison Group review of winter service has said: "I am concerned that some authorities have not embraced the recommendations of our recent report.
AA Expresses Winter Concerns
The AA warned earlier this week that some local authorities may not have learned lessons from last February’s problems with gritting on the roads. Now the Chairman of the UK Roads Liaison Group review of winter service has said: "I am concerned that some authorities have not embraced the recommendations of our recent report.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
