A state-of-the-art fully electric gritter will be trialled on Scotland\u2019s Forth Bridges this winter.<\/p>\n
The Electra 100% Electric Gritter – thought to be the first vehicle of its kind in the world – is the latest addition to Transport Scotland\u2019s fleet and will be trialled on the Forth Bridges Unit, undertaking winter patrols on the two iconic crossings.<\/p>\n
A record 213 gritters have been located at more than 40 depots across the country following significant snow in recent years.<\/p>\n
Specialist route-specific snow plans have also been produced for the M8, M74, M77 and M80 in conjunction with Police Scotland and road operators, while salt barns have been filled with almost 550,000 tonnes of salt \u2013 more than was used during the whole of last winter.<\/p>\n
Transport Scotland said its gritter tracker was up and running, letting people see live movement of gritters on the trunk road network and a trail with an age range for where gritters have previously passed along trunk routes.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur teams have worked hard throughout the year to ensure we are ready when difficult winter conditions set in,\u201d said Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity. \u201cWe can\u2019t prevent the weather, but we can make sure we\u2019re as well prepared as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n