Scotland fortifies winter defences

New equipment has been added to Scotland’s winter fleet as transport chiefs plan how to keep the country moving in the months ahead.

More support and information is also being made available to drivers to help them make decisions about their journeys in wintry conditions.

It comes following the ‘beast from the east’ earlier this year which saw hundreds of drivers stranded on the M80 overnight as a red weather warning for snow was in place across central Scotland.

Transport Scotland said specialist snow plans are being developed for the M8, M74, M77 and M80 in conjunction with operating companies and Police Scotland, following the “significant snow events” on these routes in recent years.

More than 200 traditional gritters are located at 42 depots across the country while the new equipment added to the fleet includes an electricpowered spreader, which will be deployed as a patrol vehicle on the M8, and a customised Unimog, capable of spreading enhanced liquid de-icer.

A Hilltip Icestriker from Finland, fitted with a V plow, will be trialled on the M80 to ensure recovery teams can access incidents in the most challenging conditions.

The Met Office revised its own weather warnings earlier this year and has launched a daily YouTube broadcast, dedicated to conditions in Scotland.