Safety message to motorists using A9 Cromarty Bridge30 Jan 2018

• Motorists to adhere to the 30mph speed limit and traffic signals

• Joint safety message from BEAR Scotland and Police Scotland

The £1.5M bridge improvement project on the A9 at Cromarty Bridge has returned to site following the Christmas break.

The project began in August 2017 to carry out concrete repairs to the bridge deck and supports as well as the installation of protection measures to prevent future deterioration.  The bridge deck will also be waterproofed and resurfaced to ensure a smooth and safe journey for bridge users.  

For the safety of the workforce and travelling public, traffic management has been installed on the bridge since construction began and it is continually monitored and reviewed. There have been regular instances of road users “jumping” red lights and speeding through the worksite. Both of these unsafe acts endanger teams working on the bridge and other road users. BEAR are committed to site safety and creating safe places of work for its staff and sub-contractors as a priority. This cannot be achieved without assistance from motorists crossing the bridge.

The traffic management is in place to protect workers from being struck by vehicles or debris on the carriageway. Motorists are reminded to not exceed 30mph within the worksite and to obey the traffic signals.

Police Scotland Road Policing Inspector, Neil Lumsden, said: “These traffic management measures are in place to ensure the safety of workers, the travelling public and improve journey time reliability. A small minority of motorists have chosen to ignore temporary speed restrictions and red traffic lights and I would like to remind the public that we will continue to work closely with BEAR Scotland to ensure the site is safe for all road users. Regular marked and unmarked patrols and checks will be carried out to deter this type of behaviour and motorists caught breaking the law will be robustly dealt with.”

Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative said: “BEAR and Police Scotland are committed to safety and we rely on cooperation of motorists to ensure our site teams are safe. I stress the importance of keeping to speed limits and obeying traffic signals as this allows teams to work in a safe environment.”

Real-time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland on www.trafficscotland,org , twitter @trafficscotland or on the new mobile site my.trafficscotland.org. 

Back to news list

£5.4M Resurfacing Programme Completed on A914 Dec 2017

BALLINLUIG TO THURSO

- Sustainable methods used will help prolong the lifespan of the road 

A £5.4M programme of road surface improvements has been completed on the A9 between Ballinluig and Thurso.

The investment by Transport Scotland, saw sixteen sections of the A9, totalling 14.6km, resurfaced between February and November 2017. The works deliberately avoided busy summer periods and have benefitted the thousands of motorists using the route each day.

The programme saw approximately 34,500 tonnes of new asphalt laid, fixing defects and improving the overall quality and safety of the road surface for drivers. 

An innovative sustainable method was used in ten of the sixteen schemes. The ‘Crack & Seat’ process extends the life of the existing road by introducing a series of hairline cracks in the cement lower layers which then distribute the strain more evenly. By reusing these existing cement bound lower layers it gives a more stable base and increases the lifespan of the carriageway. Using this sustainable method in these schemes saved approximately 27,000 tonnes of material compared with traditional reconstruction.

Furthermore, as part of the overall resurfacing programme, over 80,000m2 of TS2010 surface course was laid. This bespoke surface course, developed by Transport Scotland, will provide an enhanced lifespan when compared to traditional alternatives and will reduce the need for future maintenance.

Eddie Ross, Operating Company Representative in the North West for BEAR Scotland said: 

“The A9 is a major strategic trunk route that is used by thousands of road users on a daily basis. This significant investment by Transport Scotland supplements the programme of dualling the route and allows this key artery in Scotland’s road infrastructure to continue to operate safely and effectively for years to come, providing vital access for people to and from the North.

“By using more sustainable methods and materials we have prolonged the life expectancy of the road and minimised future need for maintenance.” 

All works were undertaken by Breedon Aggregates on behalf of BEAR Scotland. 

Back to news list

BEAR Scotland preparing for Storm Caroline06 Dec 2017

Amber weather warning issued for high winds on Thursday

Yellow weather warnings in place for snow and ice from Friday to Saturday evening

BEAR Scotland’s resources are prepared to assist in dealing with the “Storm Caroline” conditions with winds of up to 90mph forecast at exposed locations mainly across the north of Scotland.  

An amber ‘be prepared’ weather warning has been issued for high winds across the Grampian and Highlands and Eilean Siar areas by the Met Office valid from 6am on Thursday morning until midnight.   

In addition to Thursday’s amber wind warning, a yellow warning will follow from midnight for snow and ice until 6pm on Saturday.

Resources across the North West and North East units are on standby including over 100 operatives equipped to deal with issues on the trunk roads brought by the high winds, with four gully tankers as well as sandbags and water pumps available to deal with any flooding issues.  Teams will work around the clock to maintain the routes and conditions across the network will be monitored 24/7 by BEAR’s control room. 

As Storm Caroline will bring colder temperatures, BEAR’s winter teams will be responding by carrying out precautionary salt treatments across all trunk roads in the north east and north west of Scotland, followed by all routes being patrolled to clear any snow.  BEAR’s winter fleet includes 115 vehicles across 22 depots, and teams will be on high alert to respond to any wintry conditions affecting the network.  

BEAR Scotland is working closely with Police Scotland and Transport Scotland to respond to tomorrow’s high winds across the North West and North East, followed by the ice and snow that is forecast to continue until Saturday.  

Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s Representative for the North West, said: “At present we are preparing for the forthcoming high winds and our teams are on standby to assist in whatever way possible to keep road users safe and moving.

“In addition to our normal emergency response specialist landscaping teams will be positioned across the north of Scotland tomorrow to deal with any trees or branches that may fall on to trunk roads.

“We’re also gearing up for the forthcoming drop in temperatures and forecast snow, with our fleet of gritters and other winter vehicles ready to tackle any adverse weather conditions.

“We would advise motorists to be alert and prepare in advance for the adverse weather by checking travel information via the Traffic Scotland website, twitter or mobile site as well as local radio before setting off, allowing extra time for journeys and making sure to drive to conditions.”

Transport Scotland’s online ‘trunk road gritter tracker’, launched last winter, provides live tracking of gritters on the trunk road network.  The tracker can be accessed through the Traffic Scotland website at www.trafficscotland.org/wintergritterinfo/.  

Real time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland on www.trafficscotland.org or twitter @trafficscotland or the new mobile site my.trafficscotland.org.

Back to news list

BEAR Scotland primed and ready to deal with winter conditions 21 Nov 2017

• 57,000 tonnes of salt ready to treat trunk routes across north of Scotland

• 180 strong winter team ready to tackle winter conditions

• Winter control room to monitor conditions 24/7

BEAR Scotland’s winter maintenance services are up and running and ready to tackle whatever winter weather affects over 2000km of trunk roads across the North East and North West of Scotland.

BEAR Scotland’s winter maintenance team works around the clock, analysing detailed weather forecasts to ensure treatments are carried out as necessary. It has 57,000 tonnes of salt in stock, a workforce of 180 drivers and a fleet of 94 winter vehicles dedicated to helping keep the trunk roads as clear as possible. 

Much of the service is related to precautionary treatments – spreading pre-wetted salt on routes that will experience low temperatures – in a bid to stop ice forming. The service also is made up of winter patrols which monitor routes with an ability to spot-treat any icy patches.

Transport Scotland’s online ‘trunk road gritter tracker’, launched last winter, provides live tracking of gritters on the trunk road network.  It displays the current location of gritters and a trail with an age range for where gritters have previously passed along trunk routes across Scotland.

BEAR is also on hand to deal with any issues on the trunk roads brought 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.

Iain Murray, BEAR Scotland’s Managing Director, said: “We have 180 dedicated, trained and experienced employees ready to deal with winter across the trunk roads that we maintain. Our winter control room monitors road conditions on a 24/7 basis meaning we can act quickly to changing winter weather conditions from the challenges of low temperatures and snow to bad storms.

“As ever, we ask members of the public to ensure their vehicles are well maintained, that they pay close attention to local and national media and online information to help plan journeys during inclement weather and that they carry equipment to help themselves should conditions deteriorate.”

Back to news list

£1M Tarbet to Crianlarich A82 improvement project making good progress16 Nov 2017

• Safety barrier works progressing well

• Resurfacing projects nearing completion and 50,000m of road markings installed

• Works set to finish on programme on Tuesday 21 November as planned

• Road closures in place for roadworker safety, 8am to 6pm, weekdays only

A major road improvement project worth over £1M on the A82 between Tarbet and Crianlarich is progressing well, with works on programme for completion on schedule.

Multiple worksites have seen over 100 roadworkers and engineers carrying out a variety of works packages to the 16 miles of road alongside Loch Lomond since last week.  

The project is being implemented during the day-time under a full road closure to ensure the safety of the workforce during replacement of a crash barrier on the edge of a steep bank above Loch Lomond, however additional road improvements projects are being completed at the same time to make full use of the opportunities provided by this essential closure.

Click here to view an interactive map of the project

Works include projects to increase road safety on this section of the A82, including resurfacing works, installation of new road signs and markers, drainage improvements and removal of unstable stone walls, overgrown vegetation and branches cut-back to improve visibility, replacement of road studs and re-lining along the whole length of the site. 

Teams have made good progress with replacing the heavily damaged crash barrier south of Inverarnan, which will see over 400m of new barrier installed following an HGV incident earlier this year. 

Works to carry out new road markings within the closure length have already seen more than 50,000 metres of new road line painted as well as refreshment of hazard warnings throughout, plus over 600 road studs installed so far.   Specialist high friction surfacing works have also begun north of Inveruglas to help improve vehicle grip on the road before the bends south of Pulpit Rock.  The resurfacing works through Inverarnan and south of Pulpit Rock are now complete with teams working on resurfacing the next sections at Home on the Loch and Stuckendroin this week.

Over 300m of dilapidated walls have been taken down so far with the stone reused on the slope faces and ditches formed to improve road drainage.  All road gullies have now been cleaned with works to clear culverts below the road ongoing this week.

Multiple teams have been clearing vegetation to remove undergrowth and open up the tree canopy which will reduce shade, improve visibility and airflow over damp road surfaces and reduce the risk of contact with high sided vehicles. 

Installation of chevron signs at bends is complete with over 400 barrier reflectors already installed. These measures will enhance driver awareness of the bends, particularly between Inverarnan and Tarbet.

Two squads are currently working on some of the structures within the closure with parapet and wall repairs carried out as well as bridge repainting works underway.

Stirling Council, Argyll & Bute Council and Forestry Commission Scotland are also undertaking projects this week on the A82 between Tarbet to Crianlarich to make full use of the road closure and traffic management arrangements in place.  

Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative said: “The project is making good progress on the A82, and despite the wet and cold weather conditions teams have managed to continue the works as scheduled over the past week. Already there is a noticeable improvement to this stretch of the route.    

“Everyone is working hard on the project and making full use of the road closure which is essential to allow the new crash barrier alongside Loch Lomond to be safely installed.  This has meant we’ve been able to carry out more road improvements than we would have usually been able to had the road been opened, including working with other agencies to really make sure everyone is making full use of the road closure in place.  

“Every effort is being made to minimise disruption during this project, including liaising with stakeholders throughout the work and making sure that all those with access through the sites are being escorted through safely. We do however remind those who have access to please follow the reduced speed limits in the works areas which are in place for everyone’s safety.

“We thank all road users for their continued patience during these works, and encourage them to continue to check Traffic Scotland for up to date road information and leave some extra time to complete their journeys.”

The A82 road improvements project is set to finish on Tuesday 21 November, with the road open from 6pm that evening.  

The road closures are in place each week day 8am to 6pm with access maintained for all residents, businesses, emergency services, scheduled public buses and school transport.  All other traffic is diverted via A83, A819 and A85.

Click here for an overview of the project

Real time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland on www.trafficscotland.org or twitter @trafficscotland.

Back to news list

We're hiring! Come along to our Information Session in Perth in October to find out more.21 Sep 2017

Looking for a new challenge?

Join our team.

BEAR Scotland manage, maintain and improve almost 2,000km of Scottish trunk road including

over 3,000 bridges and structures through some of the most scenic, but challenging, parts of the country.

From our main offi ces in Perth, Inverness, Edinburgh, Fort William and Dundee, our team of over 500 employees deliver £80 Million of road maintenance and improvement work every year.

We currently have a range of exciting opportunities for Highways, Bridges, Road Safety and Traffic Engineers and Technicians across all levels.

A drop in information evening will take place in Perth at the Holiday Inn Express, Dunkeld Road, on Tuesday 3 October between 4pm and 8pm. This will be a chance to find out more about BEAR Scotland and the roles on offer.

With a varied workload, guiding projects from inception through to completion these demanding roles will bring out the best in you. With attractive salaries, excellent career progression opportunities and the satisfaction of a job well done, you won’t look back.

If you are up for the challenge, you could be a part of it.

Drop in information: Holiday Inn Express, Tuesday 3 October between 4pm and 8pm.

Address: Holiday Inn Express, 200 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 3AQ

BEAR Scotland_Recruitment Drive 2017.pdf

Back to news list