Keeping main routes open is top priority, says first minister

FIRST Minister Alex Salmond said yesterday that keeping the economy moving during the big freeze was the main priority.

Scotland has about 45,000 tonnes of salt and grit, enough for 10 days in a normal winter, but more is being delivered every day he said.

He said the Scottish Government was working with local authorities to ensure supplies were available where they are needed to keep roads open.

“We have to have sufficient supplies which can guarantee the arterial and main roads network in Scotland,” Mr Salmond said. “I know that’s deeply frustrating for people who have been hoping for their own street to be done, or side road to be done.

“But I'm sure everybody appreciates that there is an essential requirement on both local authorities and Transport Scotland to keep the arterial routes in the country open, to keep the country moving.”

Councils are being encouraged to fill grit bins with sand so that members of the public can clear pavements.

Mr Salmond also said it was not true that people who clear paths in front of their homes or shops would be legally liable if someone slips and hurts themselves.

Local authorities are braced for more bad weather with more snow and temperatures forecast to dip to -20C in some areas at the weekend.

The government’s emergency “resilience” committee is looking at contingency measures if there is a sudden thaw with the threat of flooding and broken pipes.

Mr Salmond said daily meetings between the government and local authorities will keep ministers up to date in what is now the worst winter since 1963.

The first minister hinted that the Scottish Government may be prepared to help local authorities cope with the cost of the huge gritting and clearing operation.