Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has said the The first minister has said the Scottish Government continues to engage on an “ongoing basis” with councils on winter planning, following concerns a resurgence of the pandemic could lead to roads being left untreated, reports the Press and Journal.

Highways planners in Aberdeen have already said there is a ‘significant risk’ that restrictions if there were to be a further wave of coronavirus could impact the removal of snow and ice this year, through increased staff absence and disruption to the supply of salt and grit. It is feared that if the pandemic continues to hit back, councils could struggle with staffing numbers, forcing routes to go untreated.

When asked during her daily Covid-19 briefing if potential winter roads disruption could further delay a return to office working, Nicola Sturgeon said: “Our advice right now remains to work at home where you can because that’s an important part of trying to stem the spread of the virus while we continue to work to keep our schools open and some normality back in life generally.

“In terms of salt supplies and the work to keep roads running through severe weather, that’s all part and parcel of winter planning. We engage on an ongoing basis with councils on all aspects of that, where there is periods of bad weather predicted or being experienced.”

 Transport Scotland has been liaising with salt suppliers over the summer and no issues or concerns have been raised so far.