TRAVEL advisory messages issued prior to Friday’s extreme weather did not go far enough and must be reviewed in future, according to South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth.
The local MSP was speaking during a question session in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, following Storm Éowyn.
He said: “Police Scotland urged people not to travel during the storm.
“I appreciate that the cabinet secretary has said that traffic volumes dropped by 80 per cent.
“However, as we have heard from other members, it is clear that some businesses still put an expectation on their employees to come to work, even when that work was far from urgent.”
He asked if the Government will review the approach to travel advice during severe red weather warning, adding: “We only have to look at the pictures of HGVs lying at the side of our roads during the storm to see that advisory messages did not go far enough and were not adequate to keep workers safe.
“Should we be considering whether such advice is statutory and compulsory in such circumstances?”
Afterwards, Mr Smyth added: “It was shocking that so many people were forced to brave those horrendous winds, often in high sided vehicles, because their employer was making them work.
“Accidents happen all the time in good weather but to travel in a red weather warning is beyond dangerous.
“I hope lessons can be learned.”
- library photo above
