6. Summary of Short Term Recommendations and Actions

Communication

Recommendation 1

That consistent advice is issued to the public about what conditions are likely to be encountered and what the conditions of roads and footways are. This should be linked to more education about winter service and what can and cannot be delivered.

Action to be taken:

The Scottish Salt Group and SGoRR will develop a communications strategy to manage public expectations pro-actively, consider resource implications of roads authorities and operating companies when dealing with media enquiries and the role of local media.

Transport Scotland will review the national advice and systems before next winter.

Strategic Salt Stocks

Recommendation 2

A strategic salt stock should be established in Scotland.

Action underway:

It will not be possible to facilitate a large holding of strategic stock for winter 2010/11 due to difficulties in meeting current demands. Transport Scotland currently holds around 8,000 tonnes from last winter. The location, usage and management of this strategic stock will be reviewed through the next winter and permanent arrangements agreed. This could be considered jointly with the DfT.

To ensure that recipients of emergency salt do not benefit from the existence of this and do not rely on the system it is likely that this will be offered at a higher cost.

Scottish Salt Group

Recommendation 3

That the re-stocking is monitored through out the summer and the usage is monitored on a monthly and perhaps weekly basis in the winter.

Action underway:

Monitoring of re-stocking and use will start with a monthly review through the summer and at least the first part of the winter. These returns will be monitored by the Scottish Salt Group and escalation started as necessary.

Recommendation 4

The operation of the Scottish Salt Group should report the resilience of the members calculated correctly based on accurate measurement of stock levels and each member’s stated resilience requirement.

Action underway:

An automatic web based system for operating returns is being explored. This will allow 2-way communication between local authorities, operating companies and design, build, operate and finance companies and the Scottish Salt Group.

Recommendation 5

That the operation of the Scottish Salt Group remains transparent to ensure that the local authorities that fail to prepare sufficiently in winter maintenance resilience do not benefit from the Scottish Salt Group and are not relying on it.

Action underway:

The automatic web based system will ensure transparency as all those involved will be able to see the position of all roads authorities and proposed deliveries.

Recommendation 6

That an early decision point is agreed to escalate the operation of the Scottish Salt Group against an agreed threshold.

Action to be taken:

The Scottish Salt Group will work with SGoRR to agree a protocol.

Legal and Liabilities

Recommendation 7

That consistent advice is provided by Central Government to the public about liability resulting from clearing snow and ice on footways.

Recommendation 8

That consistent advice is provided by Central Government about liability for reducing carriageway treatment levels to conserve salt stocks.

Action to be taken:

Under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 the legal liability rests with individual authorities.

To be considered and agreed with Scottish Salt Group and sent out to Scottish roads authorities.

advice on risk of litigation/liability for Roads Authorities to implement directions on conservation measures.
guidance on operational interpretation of Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 Section 34 " take such steps as they consider reasonable."
Clarification to be provided to the public on liability resulting from clearing snow and ice on footways.

Self Help

Recommendation 9

That the public is encouraged to clear paths and that self help facilities are adequately provided.

Action to be taken:

Scottish Salt group will work with SGoRR:

To provide guidance in the first instance to assist communities procure their own self help material
To encourage community resilience in rural areas
To provide a central guidance note directed at the public

Salt Conservation

Recommendation 10

Consider a permanent treatment level reduction and use of salt/sand mixes.

Action to be taken:

Scottish Salt Group to decide if further research is required in the medium term and/or if the experience of the previous winter season could inform guidance in the short term.

To make recommendations with respect to levels of precautionary treatment.

Action underway:

The treatment matrix at Annex D will be considered as a permanent change by Transport Scotland in the next winter.

Mutual Aid

Recommendation 11

That the mutual aid arrangements are explored and scoped in advance.

Action to be taken:

Roads authorities should ensure that mutual aid procedures for winter assistance are included in wider mutual aid plans, discussed and agreed with neighbouring authorities.