Scotland’s transport networks gear up for winter weather as Transport Minister outlines plan

Transport operators across Scotland are laying out their plans to keep the country moving through the winter months, as resilience preparations for the rail, road, and ferry networks get underway.

Key machinery and resources are being put in place to respond quickly to severe weather, including heavy rain, strong winds, and even extreme heat, as the Scottish Government prioritises investment in infrastructure to ensure transport can continue operating in challenging conditions.

One of the specialist vehicles being deployed is the Unimog, part of a 20-strong fleet used to clear fallen trees and other debris from rail lines to keep services running safely.

Fiona Hyslop, the cabinet secretary for transport, said during a visit to Shettleston Rail Depot that the government was focused on building “resilience” across Scotland’s transport systems.

“I think everybody recognises that climate change and these challenges, whether it’s wet weather or winds, are here to stay, and we have to respond to them quickly and promptly,” Hyslop said.

“I’m pleased we have the investment and the partnership in transport to make that happen in Scotland.

“I’m very keen that we plan and invest in maintenance, we need that to build resilience in our rail and road network. Part of our rail investment is buying the equipment you see out here today, to make sure we can keep the railways open.

“Obviously, wind can happen at any time, not just in the winter, as we saw with Storm Florence, and having the equipment to remove trees so we can reopen lines safely is really important.”

On Scotland’s ferry routes, operators are also preparing to deal with the challenges of stormy weather.

The Unimog is used to clear fallen trees and other debris. STV News

Stewart Maxwell, director of public affairs for CalMac, said every effort was made to maintain services across the company’s network of routes.

“We take all routes seriously, all communities are treated equally, and we make sure we try to maintain a service across the entire network,” Mr Maxwell said.

“It can be very difficult, particularly when there’s bad weather, but we do move vessels around to make sure every community has a service whenever it’s possible.”

With the likelihood of more frequent and intense weather events linked to climate change, both the Scottish Government and transport operators say resilience planning and investment will remain key priorities throughout the year.