Eight-wheeler spreaders Gritallica, Mr Plow and Ready, Spready, Go! are ready to tackle wintry roads in Sutherland

BEAR Scotland and its "well-loved" team of gritters are geared up and ready to tackle the Sutherland winter weather as temperatures drop.

There are 94 winter vehicles, including 37 of the largest spreaders in the UK, that will be on hand to treat the trunk roads across the north west and north east of Scotland. These large eight-wheeler spreaders – including Gritallica, Mr. Plow and Ready, Spready, Go! – that can carry over 15t of salt are part of the frontline fleet ready to carry out precautionary treatments and deal with snow conditions.

Over 180 operatives and 58,500 tonnes of salt will be dedicated to helping keep the 2,016km trunk road network as clear as possible over the winter period.

The team will focus on carrying out precautionary treatments which aim to stop ice forming. This involves spreading pre-wetted salt on routes forecast to experience low temperatures. This will be increased when snow is forecast and the full fleet will be on standby to deal with snow conditions.

Central to BEAR Scotland’s winter strategy is its 24/7 winter control room where Winter Service Duty Officers analyse detailed weather forecasts and road temperatures to ensure treatments are carried out as necessary.

Iain Murray, BEAR Scotland’s managing director, said: “The north of Scotland particularly offers a huge winter challenge to our teams with locations such as the highest Scottish trunk road at A9 Drumochter, the infamous A82 Glencoe and the A96 Glens of Foudland. However, our dedicated North teams remain as committed as ever to keeping Scotland’s key routes open and safe for motorists over the winter period.

“We will closely monitor conditions on a 24/7 basis and do as much as possible to reduce the impact of adverse winter weather that we’re faced with. We’d like to remind members of the public to also play their part and ensure their vehicles are well maintained and pay close attention to local and national media and online weather information to help plan ahead.”

Members of the public can live track gritters on the trunk road network using Transport Scotland’s online "trunk road gritter tracker". It displays the current location of gritters and a trail to show where gritters have previously passed along trunk routes across Scotland.

Last year BEAR Scotland carried out over 9081 treatments across Scotland’s trunk road network.

The winter service period will typically run from October 1 to May 15 each year and can be extended beyond these dates if necessary.

Tips for driving in winter:

• Only travel when absolutely necessary
• Allow more time for your journey
• Listen to local and national radio for travel and weather information
• Slow down and leave increased distance between you and the vehicle in front.

Be prepared when travelling. Keep the following in your vehicle:

• Ice scraper
• De-icer
• Torch
• Warm clothes including gloves and hats
• Blanket
• Shovel
• Food and drink
• High visibility jacket
• First aid kit

Check:

• Your tyres are at the correct pressures and have good tread.
• Your vehicle lights are clean and working.
• Your wiper blades are effective.
• Your battery is in good condition and fully charged.
• Your vehicle anti-freeze is the right concentration (Your garage can do this for you).
• Your windows and mirrors are clear of ice or condensation.

Drivers can get winter driving advice at trafficscotland.org/media/badweatherleaflet.pdf

Traffic Scotland provides real time information on trunk road conditions. You can visit their mobile site here: my.trafficscotland.org, or access information at www.trafficscotland.org or via Twitter @TrafficScotland.

The Transport Scotland trunk road gritter tracker details where spreaders have been in the past 24 hours can be viewed at Traffic Scotland at trafficscotland.org/wintergritterinfo/

Consider public transport options for your journey by visiting www.travelinescotland.com

BEAR is also on hand to deal with any issues on the trunk roads brought on by storms that bring high winds and heavy rain. Gully tankers, sandbags and water pumps are available to deal with any flooding issues and chainsaw operatives are also on standby to attend any fallen trees or branches.

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