HGVs’ keeping us on the move

4 DAY EXTENSION TO DRIVER'S HOURS RELAXATION SECURED BY TRANSPORT MINISTER

Scotland’s haulage drivers have been praised as they battle through some of the worst winter conditions since 1965, to keep goods moving across the country.

And with extreme weather conditions causing delays across the network, the Transport Minister has secured a four day extension, for Scotland only, to the relaxation of enforcement of EU Drivers’ Hours rules from the Department of Transport. This extension will ensure vital deliveries get to stores, supermarkets and petrol stations across Scotland.

Stewart Stevenson said

“HGV drivers are a key part of the lifeblood of our transport network, working hard to get goods to supermarkets and vital fuel supplies across the country and I am pleased we have managed to secure a further extension to the relaxation of enforcement of Drivers’ Hours in order to help keep Scotland moving."
For those drivers and work in question, the EU drivers’ hours rules will be temporarily relaxed as follows:

• Replace the EU daily driving limit of 9 hours with one of 10 hours
• Reduce the daily rest requirements from 11 to 9 hours.
• Lift the weekly (56 hours) and fortnightly driving limit (90 hours).
• Postponing the weekly rest requirement until 23:59 on 11 December 2010, at which stage a driver has to take a normal weekly rest of 45 hours.
• Notwithstanding the postponement of the weekly rest requirement (see preceding bullet point), a driver must take a minimum rest of 24 hours beginning no later than the end of the eleventh day since the end of his last weekly rest period.

The requirement to take a 45 minute break after 4½ hours driving remains and will continue to be rigorously enforced.

Stevenson Hails Continued Commitment To Policing With Publication Of Latest Police Numbers

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the publication of the latest quarterly police numbers which show that the Scottish Government is continuing to deliver on its commitment of putting more than 1,000 extra police offers on patrol in Scotland’s streets.

In the last quarter there were 1,546 police officers serving in Grampian police, compared to 1,545 at the end of 2009, an increase of 172 since the SNP was elected in 2007. The Scottish Government’s draft budget which was recently budget clearly outlined the determination to maintain additional police numbers as part of the finance settlement with local authorities. Across Scotland the latest figures showed there were 17,371 serving police officers, an increase of 1,137 since March 2007.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“These latest numbers clearly show that having fulfilled our promise of delivering more than 1,000 extra police officers across Scotland ahead of schedule, the Scottish Government has been working to maintain that improved level of provision.

“Although the quarterly figures have fluctuated up and down by small numbers as officers retire and new members of the police are recruited, the fact that police numbers in Grampian are almost identical to what they were at the end of 2009 shows that those extra officer numbers are being maintained.

“What is more, the SNP Government has made clear that we are determined to maintain these additional officers despite the cuts that Westminster’s spending decisions have forced upon us. Crime in Scotland is at its lowest level for 32 years and that is in large part thanks to these extra officers.

“The publication of these statistics continues to demonstrate that the SNP Government is determined to give police the resources they need to maintain their remarkable efforts at keeping Scotland’s streets safe for everyone.”

Winter staff facing more challenges with latest heavy snowfall

Scotland’s army of winter maintenance staff and all its equipment is working harder than ever to battle the elements following yet another onslaught of adverse weather conditions.
Despite the significant challenge today’s recent spate of wintery blizzards has delivered, more than 160 vehicles and almost 400 staff continue to work round the clock to keep the national road network moving.

Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson said:

“Scotland has been in the grip of the worst snow and ice conditions in the early winter since the 1960s, every effort has been made to keep disruption to a minimum. Snow was predicted for today but was significantly heavier than expected and timing during rush hour made conditions worse.

“Staff are working hard to clear the delays caused today and this evening train services are beginning to improve however we can not stress enough that travellers should exercise real caution by only making essential trips and planning their journeys in advance using the all available information.

“We can assure the public we are well prepared for winter. In the past ten days alone, an army of winter staff at Transport Scotland’s operating companies have clocked up around 30,000 man hours, travelled in excess of 750,000 kilometres and spread approximately 50,000 tonnes of salt.

“Parents, local authorities, government and people all across Scotland worked extremely hard over the weekend to deal with the severe weather problems, with great success. But both in terms of the volume and timing during the rush hour we were hit with a snowfall worse than forecast. Therefore, efforts have been redoubled to get back to the position we had established at the weekend, so that working together we overcome the difficulties now and move forward.

“That work includes seeking the extension from midnight tomorrow of the general relaxation we secured in terms of hauliers’ hours, so that we can continue to ensure that pressure points in the delivery of vital goods and supplies are resolved.”

Efforts have continued today with frontline staff using adapted vehicles and other resources to clear the large volumes of snow that has fallen in the past 24 hours, particularly in and around central Scotland.

Travellers are urged to exercise caution in their travel plans while this weather continues. Traffic Scotland and Traveline Scotland are also doing their utmost to keep travellers informed with numerous daily updates.

Journey planning information is available at Traffic Scotland and Traveline Scotland websites; iPhone users can download a free travel app that gives them access to all this information on the move.

Drivers should follow four key steps for safe winter driving

• Check the weather forecast and road conditions,
• Consider if you need to travel at all or can wait until weather improves
• Consider alternative routes
• Consider alternative modes of Transport

The Scottish Government has activated its Ready Winter section of the website which contains practical advice and simple steps for people including weather and travel advice.