Scots urged to plan ahead as travel authorities step up winter preparation

Scots have been urged to plan ahead and prepare for more storms in a new winter weather campaign.

Transport Scotland said “devastating” floods in Valencia and Catalonia, Spain serve as a “timely minder” of the importance of coordination between responders and public readiness.

Scotland experienced a record number of named storms in season 2023/24.

Storm Ashley was the first named storm of the current season, with 80mph winds and heavy rain sweeping across the country.

Severe weather has previously had a significant impact on the transport network, closing roads and rail routes, cancelling flights, and lifeline ferry links.

Though SEPA has well-established processes related to flood warnings and evacuations for all agencies to work together and deliver messaging, transport chiefs said there is “no scope for complacency.”

Cabinet secretary for transport Fiona Hyslop will be joined by representatives from Police Scotland, the Met Office, Traffic Scotland, Operating Companies and other key agencies and operators.

She said: “Today is an opportunity to thank our winter heroes for the work they do, often in very testing conditions. Our partners and emergency responders work tirelessly around the clock to protect our communities and keep services running, where possible.

“Getting through the winter season unscathed demands careful planning, dedicated effort, and a commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone who depends on our roads and wider transport network.

“It doesn’t happen by accident and is testament to the preparation, planning and operations delivered by our gritting teams, emergency services, and all those who work tirelessly to keep our roads safe.”

Looking ahead, the Met Office’s UK outlook is currently suggesting a mild three-month period is more likely than a cold one, with a slightly higher than normal chance of wet conditions, however cold related impacts such as snow remain possible especially later in the period.

Martin Thomson, national operations manager for resilience at Transport Scotland, said: “We know that winter weather, severe winds and flooding can cause travel disruption.

“It’s better to be prepared now that regret your choices further down the line. This year’s winter fleet has over 230 vehicles available for spreading salt and ploughing snow and ice, one spreader per 16km of trunk road.

“Current salt stocks exceed what was used over the entire winter period last season. One area of improvement is the Queensferry Crossing where an automatic barrier system is now available to allow a quick diversion to be activated, over the Forth Road Bridge, should it be required.”

The Trunk Road winter service season runs from October 1 to May 15 each year.