Public have ‘role to play’ in keeping transport running this winter – Flynn

The Transport Secretary has said the public have “an important role to play” in ensuring Scotland’s transport network operates smoothly through the winter months.

The Scottish Government has said it is spending around £20 million to prepare the network for severe weather over the winter.

However Stephen Flynn said the public can play their part by ensuring their vehicles are “winter ready”, and by checking the status of rail and ferry services before travelling.

Mr Flynn was speaking after meeting resilience partners and transport operators at Serco NorthLink Ferries’ Aberdeen terminal on Friday.

“We have already seen the impact of severe weather in recent weeks through Storms Austen and Boelo, so preparing for challenging conditions over the months ahead is vitally important,” he said.

“It was encouraging to hear first-hand from operators about the work that takes place throughout the year to ensure we are ready to respond when severe weather arrives.

“The Met Office’s named storm process and Traffic Scotland’s gritter tracker have helped raise awareness of the challenges we face, but the travelling public also has an important role to play.

“Whether it is motorists planning ahead and making sure their vehicles are winter ready, or people using rail and ferry services checking for updates before they travel, everyone can help make journeys safer and more reliable.

“While severe weather has traditionally been associated with winter snow and ice, climate change means we are increasingly experiencing heavy rain and high winds throughout the year.

“It is important that we continue to work together to meet these challenges and keep Scotland moving.”

Describing some of the preparations, the Government said around 240 gritters will be available to spread salt and clear snow on the trunk road network from around 40 depots across Scotland.

Around 447,000 tonnes of salt are currently available – more than was used across the whole of last winter.

The rail network operates a 24/7 Weather Desk, while seasonal Resilience Teams and specialist assets, including snow ploughs and a dedicated helicopter, are available.

Ferry operators continuously monitor forecasts and assess the likely impact on routes and vessels, allowing them to prioritise the movement of essential goods during periods of disruption.

Kris Bevan, operations director for Serco NorthLink Ferries, said: “Keeping our island communities connected is at the heart of everything we do.

“Winter weather can present significant challenges, but through careful planning, a strong focus on operational resilience and the professionalism of our crews and shore teams, we work hard to maintain lifeline services whenever it is safe to do so.”

He also said the ferries provide a “crucial link” in enabling resilience partners to reach the Northern Isles.

Craig Gorman, head of operational weather strategy at Network Rail, said winter brings some of the “toughest conditions for Scotland’s railway”.

“Our in-house meteorologists closely monitor the forecast so we can plan where people and equipment will be needed, while teams across the country prepare the railway for freezing temperatures, heavy rain and high winds,” he said.

“When snow arrives, we can deploy snow ploughs to help clear routes, working with train operators and Transport Scotland to keep trains moving wherever conditions allow.”

Aberdeenshire Council was one of the local authorities that received mutual aid last winter amid extreme weather conditions, giving them access to additional equipment.

Alan Wood, the council’s director of environment & infrastructure services, said the extreme winter weather in January placed “unprecedented demands” on council services.

“Five amber weather warnings arrived in rapid succession, bringing very heavy snowfall, prolonged freezing temperatures and challenging conditions across Aberdeenshire,” he said.

“The importance of mutual aid during such severe weather events cannot be overstated.”

He added: “As we look ahead to future weather events, maintaining and strengthening these mutual aid arrangements will remain essential to ensuring we can respond quickly, effectively and resiliently to protect our communities.”

Chief inspector George Nixon from Police Scotland said: “Resilience structures in Scotland bring together a multi-agency approach from a national level to local partnerships to prepare, respond and recover from incidents such as severe weather.

“Our officers and staff will continue to support communities to keep people safe, working hard in what can be extremely challenging and difficult conditions.

“Everyone can play their part in being prepared for severe weather by planning ahead, listening to travel advice and checking for road closures or wider travel disruptions.”

Simon Brown, Met Office managing director of products & services, said: “Winter weather can bring significant challenges to Scotland’s transport network, so preparation and close collaboration are vital.

“The Met Office works with Transport Scotland and partners to provide the weather information and warnings they need to prepare for and respond to potentially disruptive conditions.

“For the public, checking the latest forecast and weather warnings before travelling is a simple but important step in staying safe and prepared this winter.”