TRISS team is potential life saver
31 March
Scotland TranServ’s white knights of the road
may be dressed head to foot in fluorescent
yellow but they’re still potential life savers.
Working on behalf of Transport Scotland, the Trunk Road Incident Support Service (TRISS) and wider Incident Support Unit (ISU) teams patrol the network across south west Scotland looking for stranded motorists to help. They are supported and directed by colleagues back at the Polmadie and at Traffic Scotland in South Queensferry who monitor the motorways through fixed cameras that relay instant images back to these nerve centres.
Since the contract began in April 2013, the TRISS teams have helped more than 8000 drivers, attending over 98% of incidents within 20 minutes.
On one recent occasion TRISS operatives Iain Barr and John Burnside attended a stranded motorist on the M8 at Glasgow Airport. Mrs Lynn Murdoch’s car had broken down on a stretch of the motorway where there is no hard shoulder, and where it was difficult for other drivers to see her.
Mrs Murdoch was delighted to receive the support of the TRISS team:
“I broke down on the very top of the bridge just at top of the slip road from the airport. As there is no hard shoulder I was sitting in the inside lane with my hazard lights on. I basically was like a sitting target waiting to be hit by very fast moving traffic. The traffic thought I was moving as I was at the top of the entry slip road, and therefore they did not realise I was stationery until they were almost on top of me, with several having to swerve at the last minute.
“The TRISS guys towed me to a safe place above the motorway at Arkleston and helped me to contact my husband. They even offered to stay with me until he arrived. After the event I had chest pains, dizziness and a pain in my left arm. My husband took me to hospital where it was confirmed that I had suffered a heart attack, due to the fear of almost being killed on the motorway. The two operatives were absolutely fantastic with me, and I am so grateful to them.”
Mrs Murdoch attended the Royal Alexandria Hospital in Paisley, where she has since made a full recovery.
Racing to complete night works in Commonwealth Games corridor
31 March
Scotland TranServ, on behalf of Transport Scotland will continue resurfacing work on what will be a busy Commonwealth Games corridor this summer.
Work to improve the motorway between Govan and the Clyde Tunnel exit will take place overnight from tonight, Monday 31st March until Tuesday 8th April, with no work being carried out over the weekend.
Across the south west, Scotland TranServ is carrying out a significant programme of work on behalf of Transport Scotland to support the economic growth and development of the region in the run up to what is expected to be one of the busiest tourism seasons the country has ever experienced.
A number of projects will be completed during the busy schedule running up to the Commonwealth Games before the majority of work is stood down to allow for smooth movement of traffic during the 11 days of the event.
Scotland TranServ’s Contracts Director Russell Rennie concluded:
“We’re working on behalf of Transport Scotland to ensure that our trunk roads network around Glasgow is in tip top condition ahead of the Commonwealth Games this summer, and for many years to come. To do that we’re working around the clock to make sure that disruption for the motoring public is kept to a minimum. Our important programme of work will support the economic growth and development of south west Scotland, improving our vital trunk roads arteries serving the region.”
Going for gold with speedy overnight works
27 March
Scotland TranServ, on behalf of Transport Scotland is carrying out resurfacing work on what will be a busy Commonwealth Games corridor.
Work to improve the motorway between Govan and the Clyde Tunnel exit will take place overnight from Thursday 27th March until Tuesday 8th April, with no work being carried out over both weekends.
Brendan O’Sullivan, Scotland TranServ’s Area Network Programme Manager said:
“This is an important programme of work for not only local motorists, but those heading to and from a number of the Commonwealth Games venues this summer. Work will take place from the point where sports fans would arrive on the M8 westbound having cheered on athletes at Hampden Park, Celtic Park, the Velodrome and more locally Ibrox Stadium.
“The road surface is now reaching the end of its operational life, having been used by increasingly heavy volumes of traffic at what is one of the busiest stretches of motorway in the country. Scotland TranServ will make every effort to complete this work as quickly and efficiently as possible, with as little disruption. We hope drivers will appreciate this smoother, improved road surface not just through the duration of the games, but for many years to come.”
In order to complete the work as quickly as possible it will be necessary to close the westbound carriageway when work is being carried out. With favourable weather and working conditions we hope to finish the programme of resurfacing work ahead of schedule.
A78 Greenock to Prestwick trunk road resurfacing works
Road users are set to benefit from a £300k investment in the Trunk Road infrastructure which will be carried out on the northbound A78 Greenock to Prestwick Trunk Road between Sharphill Roundabout and Chapelhill Roundabout.
Scotland TranServ, on behalf of Transport Scotland will carry out the resurfacing works to the route, known as the Three Towns Bypass. To protect the safety of motorists and roadworkers a total road closure will be implemented at 9.00pm on Friday 4 to 5.00am on Monday 7 April. Motorists travelling southbound will remain unaffected by these works.
Advanced warning signs will be positioned on the approach to the works to inform road users that the works are taking place.
Diversion
On A78 at Sharphill Roundabout leave by taking 1st exit onto B714. Continue on B714 to Dalry Road, Saltcoats and at traffic lights at A738 take right onto A738. Follow A738 on High Road, Parkhouse Road and Eglinton Road to Montfode Roundabout. Take 1st exit to rejoin A78 northbound.
Russell Rennie, contract director, Scotland TranServ comments:
“This essential maintenance scheme will benefit road users of the A78 by improving the road surface and extending its lifespan.
“We are doing everything we can to minimise disruption when the maintenance is underway, however we would advise motorists to plan ahead and leave plenty of time for their journeys.
“They can keep up to date with real time traffic information by visiting www.trafficscotland.org or following @TrafficScotland on Twitter.”
Gateway to the Highlands nearing completion
25 March
The final work on the Stoneymollan Roundabout is being carried out by Scotland TranServ on behalf of Transport Scotland this week ahead of what is expected to be one of the region’s busiest ever tourist seasons.
Contractors will complete the final landscaping and restore the geese sculptures to the roundabout following their makeover. The final work has been scheduled ahead of the Easter holidays to reduce disruption to locals and visitors alike.
Russell Rennie, Scotland TranServ’s Contract Director said:
“Locally the Stoneymollan Roundabout is known as the ‘Gateway to the Highlands’ and it’s an important feature for visitors to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. It was essential that we completed these works before the Easter holidays to minimise any impact on the area. Completion of the sculpture, landscaping and minor resurfacing work will take place in order to complete the restoration of the site.”
Scotland TranServ has worked closely with the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park to improve the roundabout. Every effort has been made to reduce disruption to local motorists and visitors to the area.
The project will see improved drainage, the planting of trees and seasonal flowers and enhancement of the feature sculpture. A new maintenance access road will reduce the need for traffic management when future maintenance work is being carried out on the roundabout.
Temporary traffic management, which started on Monday (24th March) will last until the evening of the following Monday (31st March 2014), seeing lane closures on approaches to the roundabout, and its nearside lane.
Northbound Erskine Bridge Reopens
13 March
The northbound carriageway of the Erskine Bridge has this morning (Thursday 13th March) fully reopened to traffic.
Favourable weather conditions and the efforts of our hard working teams brought forward the work programme which had forecast an opening of Monday 17th March.
Scotland TranServ, who supervise the works on behalf of Transport Scotland, advise that the Contractor has completed the replacement of both the northbound near and offside vehicle safety barriers.
The Contractor, Highway Barrier Solutions (HBS) installed this major phase of vehicle safety barrier replacement work ahead of schedule, meaning that:
• traffic has returned to two northbound running lanes,
• the A726/A898 northbound on-slip has reopened
• and the northbound diversion routes have ceased.
Northbound Erskine Bridge to Reopen
10 March 2014
The northbound carriageway of the Erskine Bridge will fully reopen to traffic by Monday 17th March 2014, or earlier if weather conditions permit.
Scotland TranServ, who supervise the works on behalf of Transport Scotland, advise that the Contractor will have completed the replacement of both the northbound near and offside vehicle safety barriers.
The Contractor, Highway Barrier Solutions (HBS) installed this major phase of vehicle safety barrier replacement work ahead of schedule, meaning that:
- traffic will return to two northbound running lanes,
- the A726/A898 northbound on-slip will be reopened
- and the northbound diversion routes will cease.
Colin Anderson, Scotland TranServ’s Project Manager for the Erskine Bridge project said:
“This is a significant milestone in the barrier replacement project and we know that local drivers will be as pleased as we are that both lanes of the northbound carriageway and on-slip are reopening. Our teams, and those of the Contractor HBS have been working hard to ensure that we all continue to meet our targets to reduce disruption to local commuters, while improving the safety of this major bridge.”
Meanwhile works will continue on the Southbound carriageway where the replacement of the offside vehicle barrier is complete and work has recently commenced on the final nearside barrier replacement phase. A single southbound lane will continue to operate for this phase for which continuous traffic management is necessary. We would advise motorists that Southbound delays from Dumbarton and Clydebank of up to 30 minutes are still to be expected at peak times.
The temporary 40mph speed limit signage will remain in place in both directions until the southbound nearside barrier replacement work is complete, the centre line relining of both carriageways has been finished and new 50mph speed limit signs have been installed.
Completion of all works is planned for end of May 2014.
**Postponed: A78 Greenock to Prestwick Trunk Road Resurfacing Works**
27 February 2014
Road users are set to benefit from a £300k investment in the Trunk Road infrastructure which will be carried out on the northbound A78 Greenock to Prestwick Trunk Road between Sharphill Roundabout and Chapelhill Roundabout.
Scotland TranServ, on behalf of Transport Scotland will carry out the resurfacing works to the route, known as the Three Towns Bypass. To protect the safety of motorists and roadworkers a total road closure will be implemented at 9.00pm on Friday 7 to 5.00am on Monday 10 March. Motorists travelling southbound will remain unaffected by these works.
Advanced warning signs will be positioned on the approach to the works to inform road users that the works are taking place.
Diversion On A78 at Sharphill Roundabout leave by taking 1st exit onto B714. Continue on B714 to Dalry Road, Saltcoats and at traffic lights at A738 take right onto A738. Follow A738 on High Road, Parkhouse Road and Eglinton Road to Montfode Roundabout. Take 1st exit to rejoin A78 northbound.
Russell Rennie, contract director, Scotland TranServ comments: “This essential maintenance scheme will benefit road users of the A78 by improving the road surface and extending its lifespan.”We are doing everything we can to minimise disruption when the maintenance is underway, however we would advise motorists to plan ahead and leave plenty of time for their journeys. “They can keep up to date with real time traffic information by visiting www.trafficscotland.org or following @TrafficScotland on Twitter.”
** M8: J27-29 TRAVEL UPDATE **
05 March 2014
Due to an incident late on Monday 3 March, restrictions are expected to remain in place on the M8 eastbound, A737 and eastbound slip road from Glasgow Airport throughout the course of the today and overnight until Thursday 6 March. This is to enable works to be completed following subsequent investigations. Motorists should expect delays and can plan ahead by visiting www.trafficscotland.org and @trafficscotland on twitter.
Diversion route
A signed diversion route for the motorway on slip is in place for traffic from the airport via Sanderling Road, Inchininan Road, Love Street, Niddry Street, Renfrew road and will rejoin at junction 27 Arkleston. Traffic on the M8 eastbound and A737 eastbound will be restricted to one lane.
For further information, please contact:
Scotland TranServ press office on 0141 218 3838
Follow us on Twitter @Scottranserv
A78 south of Bow Road works to begin
3 March 2014
A78 South of Bow Road, Greenock
£200k investment in vital road improvement project
Scotland TranServ on behalf of Transport Scotland will this week carry out road improvement work which will benefit Greenock commuters and shoppers alike, for the next decade.
The £200,000 project south of Bow Road will benefit around 16,000 drivers every day, delivering a smoother, quieter journey as they travel along this section of the A78 south of the town centre.
The work will take place from Thursday 6 to Thursday 13 March, with the exception of Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March, between 8.30am and 4:00pm.
It will be necessary to implement traffic management during this week long project, carriageway widths will be reduced with one lane running in each direction, allowing two lanes of traffic to continue moving freely while we complete this essential work.
Brendan O’Sullivan, area network manager, Scotland TranServ said:
“This programme of work will improve nearly half a kilometre of carriageway for the travelling public in Greenock. While there will be some short-term disruption for commuters and shoppers in the Bow Road area, the benefits of a smoother, quieter road surface will certainly be felt for the long term, with the new surface expected to last for up to 10 years.“
Contract Director for Scotland TranServ, Russell Rennie added:
“Across South West Scotland we are investing to improve the road surface, maintain signage and most importantly keep Scotland moving. This is an important year for the south west in particular with the Commonwealth Games getting underway in July, the Ryder Cup in September and a whole year of Homecoming events making Scotland a key destination for thousands of visitors.
“Our dedicated, hardworking team is delivering a vital service, essential maintenance and necessary improvements for Transport Scotland and the travelling public, while continuing to support the Scottish economy.”
Motorists should leave plenty of time for their journeys and check www.trafficscotland.org or follow @Traffic Scotland for real time traffic information.
