Businesses across Scotland are being urged to put their cold weather contingency plans in place as we approach the winter months.

Today, Transport Minister Keith Brown encouraged employers to learn from the experience of previous harsh winters and put plans in place to ensure their businesses can continue to run as smoothly as possible in the event of severe weather.

Mr Brown said: “With winter fast approaching, businesses need to start thinking about what they can do to make sure they’re ready for severe weather and all of the challenges it can bring.

“It is important that individual businesses work with their employees to put in place winter contingency plans specific to their business that allow them to maintain productivity if the police advise that it is unsafe to travel.

“The Scottish Government has launched a Ready for Winter? campaign to make everyone across Scotland aware of the importance of planning ahead for the colder months. This includes advice for businesses on the Ready Scotland website and a business continuity toolkit. Taking action now will help make Scotland better prepared.”

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A set of clear and concise messages to warn of severe weather ahead are to be given to motorists this winter.

Written by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPOS) and Transport Scotland, the messages will give specific travel advice based on the predicted weather conditions. Road users will in the most extreme conditions be advised to “Avoid Road Travel” and warned that any attempt to use certain routes may result in delays of several hours. Down the scale will be advice such as “Winter Weather – Plan Ahead” where there is a chance of disruption and preparations should be made.

The Ready for Winter? Campaign is backed by the federation of Small Businesses (Scotland) and Scottish Chambers of Commerce.

Colin Borland, the Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) head of external affairs in Scotland, said: “This is the right time for Scottish small business owners and managers to start thinking about how they could mitigate the impact if conditions like last year’s strike again.

“Simple things like examining if or how some staff could work from home or making sure that more than one employee knows relevant passwords and alarm codes can keep things going, even when you’re short-staffed. The FSB knows that any disruption isn’t good news, but we also know how innovative and hard-working Scottish small businesses are.

“Public bodies tell us that they’ve put into place better systems and process to deal with adverse weather – we would encourage small businesses to use this window of opportunity to do the same.”

Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “Over the past couple of years, many Scottish businesses have been faced with serious operating challenges as a result of the disruption caused by severe and prolonged winter weather. As we enter another winter period, it is vital to plan ahead to ensure that our businesses are well prepared in the event of similar extreme weather this winter.

“Now is the time to think about the effects that such things as staff being unable to get to work, road closures, reduced rail services and airport disruption may have on your business and what preparation needs to be made to ensure that productivity is maintained, whatever the weather.”

(GK)