In the first three months of the 2023-24 winter season, BEAR Scotland used 6,178 tonnes of salt to keep trunk roads in South East Scotland safe and clear during winter weather. We also used 170.9 tonnes of potassium acetate, a chemical de-icer used on steel structures to minimise corrosion.

These are relatively low totals, reflecting the generally mild conditions experienced in the first part of this winter season.

October 2023 will be remembered for the first two storms of the winter, which brought heavy rain, strong winds and floods to Scotland.

Storm Agnes affected South East Scotland from Friday 6 to Saturday 7 October, with rainfall heaviest and most prolonged in the north of the unit, with the M9 affected between Junctions 9 and 10 where lane closures were in place for most of Saturday afternoon whilst pumps, vactor units and gully tankers were deployed to alleviate the flooding.

Then on Thursday 19 October Storm Babet arrived with strong winds and heavy rain forecast. The forecast rain did not materialise in South East Scotland, however the wind did cause some issues, with restrictions on bridges and some tree damage.

After that there were some cold spells, but the weather remained relatively mild up until Christmas.

South East Scotland escaped the worst of Storm Gerrit on 27 December, however the A1 was closed for a few hours at Thistlycross Roundabout due to water flooding onto the road from adjacent land. Crews also attended and dealt with flooding issues on the M9 north of Pirnhall and on the A985.