Winter

Over 100 new staff recruited and £26.7m investment in improvements In the 356 days since BEAR Scotland took over responsibility for the trunk roads in South East Scotland, it has delivered over £26.7m of investment in safety, surfacing and other improvements and recruited over 100 new staff in addition to those who transferred from the … Continued

BEAR Scotland’s winter service teams have been working around the clock to keep trunk roads in South East Scotland safe and clear this winter. Recent months have seen sub-zero temperatures and significant levels of snow and ice affecting most parts of the country over a sustained period. The Met Office has confirmed that in 2021 … Continued

*UPDATE 3.30PM* A835 has reopened in both directions after teams worked to clear drifting snow.  Driving conditions are still very difficult in the area & motorists are advised to only travel if essential   *UPDATE: 8.50AM* A85 has reopened in both directions west of Methven following a daylight inspection. 8.25AM Amber warning for snow remains … Continued

Queensferry Crossing traffic to be diverted over Forth Road Bridge on Saturday 30 January First trial of emergency diversion to include live traffic Motorists using the M90 at Queensferry will be diverted over the Forth Road Bridge on Saturday 30 January, in the first trial of the emergency diversion to include live traffic. This builds … Continued

Both carriageways now open Northbound carriageway works to commence April 2021 The Forth Road Bridge will be free of long-term roadworks for the remainder of this winter, with work to replace the main expansion joints in the southbound carriageway now complete. Restrictions were lifted this morning and the full capacity of the bridge is now … Continued

  ‘BLIZZARD OF OZ’ AND ‘I WANT TO BREAK FREEZE’ AMONG NEW BEAR SCOTLAND VEHICLES SET TO SPREAD GRIT THIS WINTER   BEAR Scotland unveils newly named fleet of winter vehicles to lead winter charge     A newly named fleet of BEAR Scotland gritters are primed to tackle Scotland’s infamous winter weather this year. … Continued

The Queensferry Crossing has fully reopened to traffic at 09:05 after being temporarily closed as a safety precaution in adverse weather conditions. Chris Tracey, BEAR Scotland’s South East Unit Bridges Manager, said: “The safety of bridge users comes first and we therefore made the decision to temporarily close the Queensferry Crossing when we identified a … Continued

• Bridge currently closed to traffic in both directions • Diversion in place via the A985 Kincardine Bridge The Queensferry Crossing is currently closed to vehicular traffic due to ongoing weather conditions, including falling ice and snow. All traffic is being diverted via the A985 Kincardine Bridge. Chris Tracey, BEAR Scotland’s South East Unit Bridges … Continued

• ‘Sled Zeppelin’, ‘William Wall-ice’ and ‘Gonnae Snow Dae That’ will help to lead winter charge • 57,500 tonnes of salt ready to treat trunk routes across north of Scotland • Over 180 winter operatives & 24/7 control room help to deliver a dedicated winter service   BEAR Scotland is primed to tackle whatever adverse … Continued

Over 25,000 tonnes of salt ready to treat trunk routes 47 new winter vehicles & 24/7 control room set to bolster capacity BEAR Scotland’s winter services are up and running and ready to tackle whatever adverse weather conditions affect the trunk roads and bridges in the South East of Scotland, including the Queensferry Crossing and … Continued

BEAR Scotland underlines ongoing support for veterans Road users frequenting the M8, M9 and M876 can look out for a brand-new orange 32-tonne gritter named ‘Scotland’s Bravest Gritter’ featuring Royal British Legion Industries’ (RBLI) iconic logo in line with Remembrance. The new gritter has been named by trunk road operator, BEAR Scotland, which took on … Continued

In Scotland we experience very changeable and sometimes unpredictable weather conditions. Therefore, it is very important that we all know about measures we should take to help us to stay safe, particularly when making a journey in the winter in poor weather conditions. Pupils across Scotland from primary and ASN schools from Stirling all the … Continued