Get Ready for Winter

The public are being reminded not to be complacent this winter after a record number of named storms last year.

The season 2023/24 saw 12 named storms and many severe weather warnings issued, mostly focused on flooding, the highest since the first season in 2015.

In a typical autumn/winter, there would be six or seven named storms - getting to the letters F or G. We know climate change is making our weather more extreme so that when it rains, that rain tends to be heavier with a greater chance of flooding. We have already seen our first named storm of the season - Storm Ashley.

As well as a fleet of emergency response vehicles, there will be over 230 gritters undertaking enhanced patrols of the trunk road network, spreading salt and ploughing snow from over 40 depots across Scotland

The popular gritter tracker is once again up and running, letting people see where our gritters have been carrying out treatments:

The annual winter service Keep Scotland moving | Transport Scotland runs until May 15^th. Main points this year include:

• Dedicated snow plans for the M8, M74, M77, M80 and AWPR
• Improved mitigation, detection and management of ice on the Queensferry Crossing
• There is more salt currently in stock than was used for the entirety of last winter (*over 412,000 tonnes)
• An enhanced customer engagement focus
• Dedicated Met Office, Police Scotland and SEPA presence in the control centre
• A new study to explore how forecasting can be improved using mobile sensor data on board spreaders

Speaking at the Traffic Scotland National Control Centre in South Queensferry today, Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said:

"One of the biggest challenges we've had off the back of so many severe weather warnings in recent memory is guarding against complacency.

"Today gives us a chance to highlight all of the new innovation and preparation which is in place ahead of winter. But it's also an opportunity to thank our winter heroes - our gritter drivers, bridge workers, rail staff, operating companies and everyone across the sector who works unsociable hours in often testing and dangerous conditions, to keep Scotland moving.

"We must take decisive action to prevent snow and ice endangering the safety of the public on our roads and the winter service is a critical part of that. However due to climate change we are now seeing serious flooding and severe winds throughout the year, so the challenge is 365 days a year, no just over winter. With the growing threat presented by climate change and much wetter weather, which can cause landslides and horrendous driving conditions, as well as impacting on our infrastructure and people's daily lives, we will continue to focus on all types of severe weather that has the potential to cause disruption on the trunk road network and our transport system."

Martin Thomson, National Operations Manager for Resilience at Transport Scotland, said:

"One of the examples of using modern technology to manage severe weather includes the introduction of a full programme of cable cleaning on the Queensferry Crossing to mitigate ice, as well as an advanced weather forecasting system and new sensors to provide early warning of risk levels. The new automatic barriers will be tested again this weekend by our operating company BEAR Scotland, meaning the diversion to the Forth Road Bridge could be up and running in as little as 20 minutes, if required. We are constantly striving with the sector to find new and innovative and cost effective ways of making the network more robust.

"In terms of customer engagement and communications, although Traffic Scotland now attracts almost 400,000 followers on X, and is the 2^nd most popular source of information for people seeking travel advice and the condition of our trunk roads affected by severe weather, local radio clearly still plays a key role. Another success story is our Gritter Tracker, which continues to generate global interest and coverage, and this has also been improved to increase stability to meet demand from around the world."

Superintendent Vinnie Fisher, deputy head of Road Policing, said:

"Preparing yourself and your vehicle for winter conditions can make a key difference when it comes to being safe on the roads.

"If a weather warning is in place, the advice remains the same - listen to media broadcasts, follow Traffic Scotland and share travel information with others.

"You can plan ahead by checking your route, your windscreen washer levels, be prepared for increased stopping distances and extra time for your journey."

Associate Director - Customer Relationships at the Met Office, John Harrison, said:

"The Met Office is delighted to be working side by side with Transport Scotland and its partners again this year. Our dedicated forecaster, who is embedded in Transport Scotland's Control Centre for 8 months of the year, will once again be providing up to the minute tailored expert advice for the Scottish trunk road network.

"Last year saw the greatest number of named storms since naming began in 2015. The challenges presented by winter weather can have major implications for those managing and using transport networks. Working closely together the Met Office and Transport Scotland can identify these winter challenges and work to manage and minimize the impacts"

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