Prolonged Snowfall Strategy. During prolonged periods of snowfall, ploughing will be continuous from the onset of snow to prevent a build-up of snow and compaction by traffic. Ploughing will continue until the Trunk Roads are clear of snow and ice. Reserve and Additional Winter Service Plant will be used, as necessary, to supplement Front Line Winter Service Plant in snow conditions. When planning and carrying out snow clearance, BEAR Scotland will pay particular attention to the layout of the carriageway in terms of the overall number of lanes and the location of entrance and exit slip lanes. Snow clearance of slip roads will be co-ordinated with main carriageway clearance, and a clear path kept open between those entry and exit points where frequent lane changes are necessary. For dual carriageways and wide single carriageway roads, echelon ploughing will be carried out utilising two snow plough vehicles moving in the same direction, one behind the other in adjacent lanes. Irregular windrows caused by ploughing passes, especially those that weave from one lane to another are dangerous, and will be avoided, as they may tempt drivers to overtake by squeezing into the partly cleared lane. Lanes will be completely cleared, such that any windrows of snow remaining form a smooth and continuous line with no sudden encroachments into the cleared path. Clearance of snow from contiguous and remote laybys will be carried out once the main carriageway, junction areas and crossovers have been cleared of snow. Care will be taken to avoid damage to road surfaces, road studs, roadside furniture and structures. At roadworks, traffic management equipment must not be disrupted. An accumulation of ploughed snow creating a ramp adjacent to safety fences and concrete barriers will be avoided. Where conventional ploughing or snow ploughing is not possible, for example: • in built up areas, • in exceptional circumstances when the snow on the road is deep and cannot be removed by conventional ploughing or snow blowing • when de-icing treatment over packed snow is likely to provide an unacceptable surface, • when the traffic is insufficient to disperse the snow, BEAR Scotland will lift, remove and dispose of snow and ice and/or utilise snow blowers, with the snow being directed onto adjacent land (where BEAR Scotland has obtained the prior agreement of the landowner and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency). Such operations will be followed by de- icing treatment. When snowploughing or snow blowing o...
