Going the extra mile for Glasgow 2014
14 July 2014
Support for stranded motorists in Glasgow and the wider Central Belt has been significantly increased to cope with increased demand on the road network during the Commonwealth Games.
Scotland TranServ, on behalf of Transport Scotland is strengthening the Trunk Road Incident Support Service (TRISS) provision of patrols and support for drivers who get into difficulties.
With over 60,000 Park & Ride spaces being provided for spectators, drivers can expect a significant increase in extra road users during the Commonwealth Games as spectators and the travelling public make their way into and around the city. In response to this, the TRISS team has added a further 14 operatives to its team, to cover extended working hours and wider operating areas in preparation with heightened demand for assistance.
Enhanced services will include:
- Triss team increased from 8 to 22 operatives
- Extended TRISS working hours from 06:00 to 24:00 (normally 06:00 to 19:00);
- Additional patrols covering Glasgow ‘box’, Central Belt and M74;
- Dedicated resources available 24/7 to provide support in the network, with 64 operatives available to be deployed as required
- Additional support in the network control centre throughout the day.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said:
‘All motorists, whether local drivers or Games spectators, can be confident that increased numbers on the road network during Glasgow 2014 will not affect their access to assistance should the need arise. Enhancing TRISS resources means those who experience car difficulties can depend on a robust support service, particularly for visitors to Glasgow who may be unfamiliar with Scottish roads.’
Soapy Bubble on the M74
08 July 2014
Scotland TranServ’s Trunk Road Incident Support Service helped Glasgow commuters avoid soapy bubble this afternoon when they quickly picked up a bath that had been reported on the M74.
The tub is thought to have fallen from a vehicle around Junction 2 of the motorway, and could have led to problems for local drivers, were it not for the quick actions of the TRISS team. They tapped into their resources and removed the bath within a few minutes of it being reported.
Scotland TranServ’s TRISS teams attended over 9,000 incidents last year alone, with 98% within 20 minutes. They play a vital role on the motorway network across Glasgow, supporting Police Scotland in their efforts to keep our roads moving.
Russell Rennie, Scotland TranServ’s Contract Director said:
“While our TRISS teams appear ever-present on Glasgow’s trunk roads these hard working crews are actually few in number. They are on hand to support Police Scotland in their efforts and keep the motorways around the city moving. Whether helping out stranded drivers or clearing potentially dangerous debris from the road, they are always happy to help and the vast majority of drivers are happy to see them as they keep these important economic arteries safe, and moving.”
Big thanks to Ringford community
Barr Surfacing and Civil Engineering, and Scotland TranServ on behalf of Transport Scotland would like to thank the community of Ringford for their patience during important resurfacing work on the A75 recently.
It was necessary to implement a temporary traffic lights supported by a convoy system during the week. The £1.2million project, which finished ahead of schedule on Sunday (29th June) also included barrier works, with kerbing and white lining also carried out.
Barr Surfacing and Civil Engineering’s General Manager, Chris Edwards said:
“We are pleased to have delivered another project ahead of schedule and within budget in partnership with Scotland TranServ, Transport Scotland and the community of Ringford. We recognise the importance the A75 has within Dumfries and Galloway and worked diligently to ensure minimal disruption for all and to complete the works swiftly.”
Every effort was made to maintain local access throughout the project, and to ensure as little impact on local commuters and the local community as possible.
The project team took time out for Armed Forces Day. The Queen’s Baton Relay which passed through Dumfries and Galloway wasn’t affected by the work.
Neil MacDonald, Scotland TranServ’s Deputy Planned Maintenance Manager added:
“With the project due for completion in early July, we finished a little ahead of schedule. This was an important programme of work to replace a section or road around Ringford that was reaching the end of its operational life. Along the A75, through Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland TranServ is working hard on behalf of Transport Scotland to improve the quality of the trunk roads network. The road is a vital economic artery for dozens of remote communities across the region and that is why we are delivering projects that will improve the road surface for years to come.”
Scotland TranServ has carried out a number of projects along the A75, A76 and A77 in recent months to improve the network ahead of this busy summer of events, and to leave a lasting legacy for local drivers.
Scotland TranServ team raises vital funds for MS Society
02 July 2014
No it’s not a high altitude Knobbly Knees competition!
Scotland TranServ’s Three Peaks Challenge team has finally counted all the pennies raised on behalf of the
MS Society and firefighter charities and it adds up to a staggering £5,327.
That figure smashes the team’s original target of £2,000. It’s down to all their hard work in raising money through bake sales, promoting their Just Giving charity page and calling in favours from colleagues.
The Scotland Transerv team successfully completed the challenge in 20 hours 24 minutes which was well below their target time of 24 hours, and bagged a silver medal to boot. Meanwhile our friends at BEAR Scotland achieved a similarly outstanding time of 22 hours and 5 minutes.
They kept friends, family and ccolleagues updated on their progress through Scotland TranServ’s twitter channel @scottranserv, with some stunning images from the very top of Scotland, England and Wales.
The team hope to take on the Three Peaks again and shave 25 minutes off their time to bag a gold medal next time round.
Whirlies receives round of investment following raincheck
Having taken an earlier rain check for some horrendous early June downpours, Scotland TranServ’s work to improve the surface of the Whirlies Roundabout will get underway this weekend (5/6 July).
The surface of one of Scotland’s most iconic roundabouts is reaching the end of its operational life, having been repeatedly hammered by heavy traffic volumes and freight traffic accessing the busy town. Work will be carried out on behalf of Transport Scotland to bring the roundabout’s road surface up to scratch ahead of what could prove to be a busy summer for East Kilbride.
Andy Smart, Scotland TranServ’s Area Network Manager said:
“The surface of the Whirlies is reaching the end of its operational life. The roundabout has been subject to the additional strains of heavy goods traffic and is now in need of replacement. We will make every effort to complete the project as quickly and safely as possible, reducing the potential impact on local drivers.”
Scotland TranServ, on behalf of Transport Scotland will be carrying out the important weekend resurfacing working on the Whirlies Roundabout. The work will require a short period of traffic management in order to complete the project as quickly and safely as possible.
Traffic management will be in place from the times below:
04:00 on Saturday 5th July to 06:00 on Monday 7th July, 2014.
The work has been specifically scheduled in order to reduce disruption to commuter traffic. We do however realise that there is potential inconvenience for weekend shoppers heading to the town centre area. Scotland TranServ would advise shoppers therefore to allow additional time for their journey or where possible to take an alternative route.
Russell Rennie, Scotland TranServ’s Contract Director said:
“Scotland TranServ is playing its part to support the long-term economic growth and development of South West Scotland. As one of the region’s major towns, it is important that we carry out this work and deliver an improved gateway to East Kilbride. Across the region, in this busiest of tourism seasons, through our trunk road improvement programme we are delivering important first impressions for the thousands of tourists who will visit Scotland this year, as well as tangible long-term benefits for millions of local drivers.”
For live travel information or to plan your journey please visit www.trafficscotland.org or follow @TrafficScotland on Twitter.
Summer Student Success
It’s not quite a summer breeze but 13 students certainly won’t have the summertime blues as they kick off an internship with trunk roads management and maintenance provider, Scotland TranServ.
School might be out for summer but these young engineers will still be learning valuable lessons as they take to the motorways and trunk roads across South West Scotland under the careful eye and tutelage of some of Scotland’s brightest and best civil engineers.
The young engineers, who are mostly University of the West of Scotland (UWS) students, hail from as far afield as Scotland, Nigeria and Brazil. They will be based at Scotland TranServ’s depots in Polmadie, Ayr and Dumfries.
UWS School of Engineering Senior Lecturer, Dr Hugh Fergusson said:
“Working with Scotland TranServ will provide these young engineers with unique hands on experience, putting the last few years of academic study into commercial context, preparing them to play their part in designing and constructing Scotland’s future infrastructure and continuing our country’s reputation as a global civil engineering leader.”
Scotland TranServ operates 636 kilometres of trunk roads across South West Scotland, from Loch Lomond to Loch Ryan at Stranraer, on behalf of Transport Scotland. The network, which is the busiest in Scotland, comprises some of the largest roads in the country including the M8, M74, M77 and M80.
Scotland TranServ has worked exclusively with the university to provide these 2nd and 3rd year students with the opportunity to learn more about their intended career and to gain valuable experience working with one of the biggest civil engineering businesses in the region. The company is comprised of global infrastructure services company, Balfour Beatty and international infrastructure and business services group, Mouchel.
Shona Darroch, Scotland TranServ’s HR Manager added:
“This is an amazing opportunity for these young people to further their careers and learn invaluable civil engineering lessons with one of the leading trunk road management companies in the country. Across Scotland TranServ we are looking to the future, investing in the best young engineering graduates, apprentices and interns and providing them with a solid future in a real growth industry. We’re interested in hearing from ambitious, talented young people from all backgrounds and interests who want to build a bright future for themselves.”
The group are already working away, having started at Scotland TranServ in mid-June. Their duties will include network maintenance, bridge operations and operating system enhancement. Scotland TranServ has already taken on a number of graduates from the UWS course and it is hoped some of these young people can follow in their footsteps.
