HELPING RURAL SCOTLAND THROUGH BIG FREEZE

15th January 2010

Public sector joins community effort in dealing with snow

Staff in the Scottish Government and its rural agencies have been lending a helping hand to communities during the snowy weather.

Resources have been redeployed to help keep the country moving and the help has proved vital for rural communities badly hit by the big freeze.

Action has been taken by the Scottish Government, Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). This includes:

* The use of 4x4s and experienced off-road drivers to assist disabled residents in need of medication and food

* Assisting local authorities with the clearing of roads and pavements

* Additional help and advice for farmers unable to spread on snow or ice

* Redeploying inspection staff unable to get out to farms to work on the processing of farm payments

* Providing support for Mountain Rescue teams

Welcoming the contribution made by staff, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

"The community spirit displayed throughout Scotland during this period of severe weather has been outstanding. People have banded together to help each other out and our own staff are no exception.

"The Scottish Government has access to resources which can be of vital assistance during the big freeze and staff have rolled up their sleeves and made themselves and their equipment available to others in need.

"With freezing temperature set to continue in some areas of Scotland we all need to keep working together to get through these extreme conditions."

FCS has a number of 4x4 vehicles and drivers and these have been made available to local authorities. In Huntly staff have been assisting disabled residents in need of medication and food.

FCS staff have also been working in Aberdeenshire, Galloway, the Northern Highlands (in particular Bettyhill and Lybster), Glenmore and South Ayrshire to clear snow.

SEPA has also made its off-road vehicles available and has been providing additional advice to farmers on slurry disposal. Manure and slurry cannot be spread on snow-covered or frosty ground and SEPA staff have been busy advising farmers who are experiencing storage shortages.

SNH has offered to make their vehicles available to local authorities for emergency use during this harsh weather. SNH has around 35 off-road vehicles in many rural and remote locations throughout Scotland, such as Argyll, the Highlands, the Western and Northern Isles.

Staff in the Scottish Government's Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate (RPID) who have been unable to carry out inspections because of the weather have been redeployed to work on the processing of farm payments. This work is speeding up the rate at which these vital payments are paid into farmers' accounts.

Background
1. For more information on the Scottish Government's Weather Wise web site, please visit http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/cold-weather-advice/

2. To see Forestry Commission Scotland information on safety during the thaw, please visit http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-7ZLGH3

3. For information on SEPA's severe weather guidance, please visit
http://www.sepa.org.uk/about_us/news/other/severe_weather_guidance