Winter

At BEAR, we have teams dedicated to providing winter service. Watch the video to find out about the process of decision-making when sending out our Winter Fleet to keep routes clear and safe during Winter.

Diversion via Forth Road Bridge on night of Saturday 11 December 2021 Trial aims to speed up process if Queensferry Crossing closes Laboratory tests on ice mitigation methods scheduled Traffic using the M90 will be diverted over the Forth Road Bridge on the night of Saturday 11 December, in a trial of measures designed to … Continued

When eastern Scotland was hit by Storm Arwen on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 November 2021 over 100 operatives from BEAR Scotland and its supply chain worked to deal with the impact on the trunk roads it is responsible for in the North West, North East and South East of Scotland. The first storm of … Continued

The A1 is now closed to all traffic in both directions between Thistly Cross roundabout and Abbotsview Junction, with wind speeds of up to 84mph forecast for this evening where the trunk road bridges over the River Tyne near East Linton. A diversion route is in place via the A199. This is expected to add … Continued

BEAR Scotland is warning road users to expect restrictions on high sided vehicles and a possible full closure of the A1 later today when the strongest winds from Storm Arwen arrive on the east coast of Scotland. The Met Office has issued a Red warning for wind, with gusts of up to 84mph forecast on … Continued

Additional resources in place to address any issues 24/7 control rooms monitoring conditions The first named storm of winter is on its way and BEAR Scotland, which looks after the trunk roads in the North West, North East and South East of Scotland, is primed to tackle whatever weather conditions Storm Arwen brings. Forecasts indicate … Continued

‘Gritallica’, ‘Mr Plow’ and ‘Ready, Spready, Go!’ on hand to tackle adverse weather 180 winter operatives and 58,500 tonnes of salt ready to treat trunk routes across North Scotland   BEAR Scotland and its well-loved team of gritters are geared up and ready to tackle Scotland’s infamous Winter weather as temperatures drop. 94 winter vehicles, … Continued

• 47 winter vehicles, 90 winter operatives and 25,000 tonnes of salt ready to keep trunk roads safe and clear across South East Scotland BEAR Scotland and its well-loved team of gritters are geared up and ready to tackle Scotland’s infamous winter weather as temperatures drop. In South East Scotland over 90 operatives and 25,000 … Continued

Full capacity of Forth Road Bridge now available Queensferry Crossing cables cleaned in ice mitigation trial Major works on both the Forth Road Bridge and Queensferry Crossing have been completed on schedule, in advance of the winter season. Work to replace the main expansion joints on the Forth Road Bridge was completed in October, marking … Continued

BFG – Big Friendly Gritter visits Livingston schools ahead of winter Livingston schoolchildren were greeted by one of BEAR Scotland’s enormous gritters after winning a competition to come up with names for the road maintenance company’s new machines. Both St Ninian’s and Dedridge Primary Schools were excited to see the sheer size of the eight-wheel, … Continued

Road users of the A92 between Dundee and Arbroath are advised that BEAR Scotland’s winter maintenance service will get underway from Monday 27 September until Friday 20 May next year. BEAR Scotland’s experienced winter maintenance team will work around the clock to analyse detailed forecasts and actual weather information from roadside weather sensors to ensure … Continued

Over 100 new staff recruited and £26.7m investment in improvements In the 356 days since BEAR Scotland took over responsibility for the trunk roads in South East Scotland, it has delivered over £26.7m of investment in safety, surfacing and other improvements and recruited over 100 new staff in addition to those who transferred from the … Continued