A liquid solution was recently successfully tested on hard-packed snow and ice on a Huntly road in Aberdeenshire. It will provide a new way of clearing roads at temperatures of up to minus 20 degrees and strategic stocks will be placed around the country for targeted use during lower temperatures, when normal salt is not as effective.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "This is one of the first times this treatment has been used on the Scottish road network and it is encouraging to see this initial trial deliver positive early results. We will continue to explore innovative ways of keeping our transport networks moving and Scotland open for business.
"Last December we faced an unprecedented situation with the coldest weather for 100 years and it's right we continue to explore ways of continually improving our capacity to respond to severe weather."
Last month the Minister announced a six point plan to improve communication with road users and improve the transport response to severe weather. A multi agency transport response team was also set up including representatives of Scotland's police forces, the trunk road operating companies, Transport Scotland and ScotRail.
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Other new measures being developed include a range of improved communications to inform the road user such as additional CCTV cameras, more mobile sensors to detect on the ground road conditions and publishing information on forecasts and treatment programmes. Further innovative ways of keeping the roads clear are also being explored (such as the use of ice-eliminating materials) and a review of the steps involved in closing roads will also be considered as part of wider work to continually improve the response to winter weather.
The Minister added: "In the five weeks since taking up my post and announcing our six point plan, I am pleased we have been able to make such progress in exploring new ways of keeping our transport networks open, improving information available to road users and people planning their journeys and by continually reviewing our operations to make sure we are well placed to deal with whatever winter weather we may face."
The Minister also confirmed that the Scottish Government's resilience operation remains on alert as more normal winter weather is predicted over the next few weeks. There have been 52 Ministerial meetings since the operation was convened, these have included representatives from Scotland's emergency services, local authorities, SEPA, the Met Office, Scottish Water, Transport Scotland and road and rail operators, Visit Scotland, NHS Scotland and voluntary and community organisations.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "Staff across the country, from both the public and private sectors have worked tirelessly, in often difficult circumstances, to take the necessary measures to keep Scotland moving. This includes people in our communities, our businesses, our schools, the health service, voluntary services, our transport networks and other public services and we would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has contributed, in whatever way, to pull together and continue the daily life of Scotland as much as possible."
(GK)
