SNP ministers must use “common sense” in handling Scotland’s winter conditions, it has been claimed, after figures revealed no money was spent on road grit in three years.
Research from the Scottish Tories showed that while more than £300,000 was spent on grit, or road salt, in 2020-21 and 2021-22, nothing has been nothing spent in the three following financial years to date.
The figures obtained by the party also showed that Scotland’s fleet of gritters had broken down 351 times since 2020-21, with 211 of those breakdowns occurring in 2022-23.
Transport Scotland said there are currently “record levels” of grit in Scotland, but it is not procured directly, accounting for the £0 figure.
It only procures ‘strategic salt’ used to increase national resilience in the event of a shortage, while all other resources are obtained through external contracts.
The transport body, which manages major roads in Scotland, said there are currently more than 240 gritters to undertake “enhanced patrols” of the trunk road network.
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A spokesman for the quango also said there was more than 412,000 tonnes of salt ready to be used this winter.
However, Sue Webber, transport spokeswoman for the Scottish Tories, issued a warning over the figures following weather alerts.
Scots were warned not to travel over the weekend unless “absolutely necessary” as Storm Bert caused travel disruption.
Major roads, including the Queensferry Crossing, were closed and weather warnings for snow were in place across the country.
Ms Webber told The Herald: “If Transport Scotland do have ‘record levels’ of grit salt many motorists will be shocked given the harsh winters Scotland typically faces.
“Extreme weather saw many roads closed and accidents occur across the country, but in many parts of Scotland, gritters were nowhere to be seen.
“This looks like another example of an SNP quango failing to deliver value for taxpayers and leaving motorists stranded when this weather hits.
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“The SNP should be telling Transport Scotland to show some common sense and ensure roads are properly protected against icy conditions that are all too familiar to those who travel on roads up and down Scotland.”
In 2020-21, Transport Scotland procurement on salt, used to increase national resilience, was £201,375, while £105,251 was spent the following year.
Transport Scotland said the routine and winter maintenance budget for 2024-25 was £142.8 million.
It is given to operating company contracts which cover all winter service deliveries, including fleet, infrastructure and salt procurement.
A spokesman said: “These figures are misleading on their own and do not show the full picture as to how the planning and operation of the winter service actually works.
“We have no issues with salt supplies and our fleet of gritters has been refreshed thanks to the roll out of our new network maintenance contracts across the trunk road network.
“As well as a fleet of emergency response vehicles, we have over 240 gritters to undertake enhanced patrols of the trunk road network, spreading salt and ploughing snow from over 40 depots across Scotland.
“The winter fleet has now been refreshed, with new vehicles replacing older ones to improve performance and reliability.
“There are currently no issues around salt supplies. As outlined at the winter service launch this month, we had more salt ready and available at the start of the winter season than was used for the entirety of last winter – over 412,000 tonnes.”
The spokesman added: “Our operating companies worked around the clock to monitor and treat the trunk road network where required.
“Double winter treatments were carried out on most routes and winter service patrols were extended. Reserve spreaders and tractors were also pre-deployed at vulnerable gradient locations on snow affected routes.”
Ms Webber also raised concerns that roads in Edinburgh “practically ground to a halt” at the weekend – but local authorities handle gritting in community roads, while Transport Scotland is responsible for trunk roads.
Snowy conditions at the beginning of the year saw an ambulance overturned on the A98 at Boyndlie, while drivers became stuck on the A9 in Caithness.
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