Essential winter maintenance services for the A92 between Dundee and Arbroath will get underway from Monday 27 September until Friday 20 May next year.

BEAR Scotland's experienced winter maintenance team will work around the clock to analyse detailed forecasts and actual weather information from roadside weather sensors to ensure that treatment is carried out at the most appropriate times.

Precautionary salting will be carried out in advance of freezing conditions to prevent ice forming on the road surface. Resources will be available around-the-clock to provide this service and each treatment will be completed within a maximum of two hours from start to finish.

Weather conditions can change suddenly and where unexpected conditions arise, reactive salt treatments will take place within one hour. During snow or freezing rain, resources will be deployed continuously until the road is clear and the weather abates.

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Warddykes Primary School in Arbroath helped come up with a name for one of the gritters that carries out salt treatments on the A92 between Dundee and Arbroath – the 'Polar BEAR Express' – which can be spotted working hard each winter.

Precautionary salting and snow clearing will be carried between the following times during the winter maintenance period:

• Mondays to Saturdays (except 25 & 26 December and 1 & 2 January) – 6am to 6pm

• Sundays (and 25 & 26 Dec and 1 & 2 Jan) – 8am to 4pm

Road users are urged to give consideration to road surface conditions when planning journeys during periods of adverse winter weather.David Wright, BEAR Scotland's Winter Manager for the A92, said: "Our dedicated and experienced team remain committed as ever to providing a winter service. The winter months are often impacted by adverse weather conditions which can change suddenly and provides challenging driving conditions for road users. We place a real emphasis on prevention at BEAR Scotland and our winter maintenance team work around the clock to ensure surfaces are treated before the worst of the weather hits. During snow or freezing rain, our resources will be deployed continuously until the road is clear.

"We remind members of the public to play their part this winter and ensure their vehicles are well maintained, pay close attention to local and national media and information websites to help plan journeys during inclement weather, and that they carry equipment to help themselves should conditions deteriorate.

"The Traffic Scotland website offers up to date information about Scotland's roads and motorists should always try to plan ahead where possible, especially if unfavourable winter weather conditions are forecast."