BEAR Scotland and its popular team of gritters are geared up and ready to tackle North West Scotland’s challenging winter conditions as temperatures start to decline.
Nearly £9 million has been invested in the North West’s winter fleet ahead of this winter. There will be 59 winter vehicles – including multiple 32-tonne eight-wheeler spreaders – and 15 footway tractors on hand as Transport Scotland’s operating company prepares to treat trunk roads across the area.
A mammoth 35,000 tonnes of salt has been set aside for some of the largest spreaders in the UK, which will keep the 1,422km trunk route network as clear as possible this winter.
Over 100 operatives will be working throughout the colder months ahead. Many of these operatives will be in frontline vehicles conducting precautionary treatments that help to prevent ice forming. These treatments see them spread pre-wetted salt on routes that are expected to experience low temperatures. Other operatives will be in patrol vehicles, monitoring conditions and carrying out any required treatments.
Central to BEAR Scotland’s winter strategy is its 24/7 network hub – a control room team which analyses detailed weather forecasts and road temperatures to ensure treatments are carried out as necessary and conditions are monitored.
Iain Murray, BEAR Scotland’s Managing Director, said: “Our team will be working tirelessly throughout the winter period to keep Scotland’s key routes operating.
“Our main priority is always to ensure roads are as safe as possible for motorists to travel on, and our dedicated team will be doing all they can in the months ahead to make that happen. It’s important that road users play their part, too. Now is the time to ensure vehicles are well maintained. And as we head into winter, it’s essential that anyone travelling pays close attention to media coverage and weather forecasts to allow for sufficient planning and time for their journeys.”
Members of the public can live track gritters on the trunk road network using Transport Scotland’s online ‘trunk road gritter tracker’. It displays the current location of gritters and a trail showing where gritters have previously passed along trunk routes across Scotland.
Last year BEAR Scotland carried out over 5375 treatments on trunk roads in the North West of Scotland and used over 28000 tonnes of de-icing materials. There were 57 snow days compared to 59 the previous winter. An hour before snow is due to fall, BEAR Scotland pre-treats the carriageway to prevent the snow from bonding with the road surface, making it easier to remove.
The winter service period will typically run from 1 October to 15 May each year and could be extended beyond these dates should conditions dictate.
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN WINTER:
Check:
Winter Portal 
Planned Works 
Report a Defect