Question reference: S5W-34650
- Asked by: Mike Rumbles, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 19 January 2021
-
Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 29 January 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the additional pressure on the NHS due to COVID-19, what (a) action it has taken and (b) additional funding it has provided to support local authorities in preventing injuries caused by inadequate gritting during periods of icy weather.
Answer
Scotland's 32 local authorities are responsible for the maintenance and safe operation of Scotland's local road network. Each local authority is responsible for all aspects of the non-trunk road network within their jurisdiction, including Winter Service Operations. This includes all footways, footpaths and cycle tracks not in private ownership. While each road authority will prioritise the treatment of their own networks, mutual aid is offered, when possible. This includes the sharing of plant, facilities, labour and salt.
Systems are already established to prioritise road clearing around hospitals and NHS Sites. In addition, Transport Scotland and their trunk road partners have reviewed vaccination sites on or adjacent to the trunk road network and considered the potential for pre-cautionary treatment routes to be flexed to assist access to these locations should mutual aid be requested.
No additional direct funding has been provided in support of winter maintenance in relation to COVID-19 although we have provided £204 million as general revenue support which local authorities could use to supplement their winter maintenance budget if they choose to do so.