Insight needed

Oh dear! More unheralded traffic chaos on Scottish roads. The SNP’S major excuse last time that there was a red warning, therefore it was the drivers’ fault, holds no water.

As business grinds to a halt once again it is becoming clear that the SNP have no real answers to the problem. Our economy is already shaky. This could even tip Scotland into recession, but then the SNP will use the weather as an excuse.

For a government that is constantly harping on about wanting more power, they are becoming less and less adept at using even the powers they have to boost Scotland. In truth, their record of positive achievements in office is pretty threadbare, including handing out “free” prescriptions, bus passes, baby boxes and higher education, all of which we cannot really afford. The power they are missing, but really need, is insight. (DR)

GERALD EDWARDS Broom Road, Glasgow While it is difficult to quantify whether or not lives were saved by the recent not-travelling approach to severe weather, erring on the side of safety was probably the sensible choice. The ability of many employees to work from home using the internet or on laptops undoubtedly assisted.

However, a couple of points did arise. Firstly, the milk supply was disrupted because tankers could not reach the farms. The government, local authorities and the industry need to formulate plans to clear routes to dairy farms to ensure access for the tankers. That should be added to the priority routes for the ploughs.

Secondly, the “do not travel” advice needs to be respected by the non-food haulage industry. We need to allow food transport easy access to the shops by reducing heavy goods traffic in severe weather.

To allow food-carrying vehicles as much access as possible we also need recovery vehicles similar to those seen standing by at motorway contraflows stationed at the trouble spots, which are mainly gradients, to assist the food industry vehicles to continue even if they lose traction. The priority should be to keep our shops supplied with food.

BRUCE D SKIVINGTON Strath Gairloch, Wester Ross