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Winter Emergency Numbers & Contacts

Emergency Contact Numbers
Handy out of hours emergency telephone numbers to keep by your telephone over the winter period are as follows: -

Winter Driving

Traffic Scotland Road conditions line
0800 0281414

AA UK Roadwatch 0900-3401-100
BEAR Scotland
(Trunk road maintenance)
0800-587-1108 (for info on the A82, A830, A835, A86, A87, A887, A889, A9, and the A99)
0800-587-1107
(for info about the A95 and A96)
Traffic Scotland - check roads affected by weather, road works etc on this web site.
The AA

Weather
Weather Links

Traffic Webcams

Radio
BBC Radio Scotland

More Radio Links

Floods
SEPA Floodwatch

School Closures In Highland
Highland School Closures

Water Emergencies
Scottish Water  0845 600 8855

TEC Services (roads/flooding/lighting):

Social Work:

Housing:

Fire and Rescue Brigade:

Northern Constabulary

NHS 24 (medical advice/GP service):

Scottish Water

SEPA Floodline

Scottish & Southern Electric Freephone:

Transco Gas Freephone:

AA UK Roadwatch (please use the Roadwatch number rather than those of the police to establish road conditions)

Transerv
(Trunk road maintenance)

0845-769-7284

0845-769-7284

0845-700-2005

01463-240999 (24 hours)

0845-603-3388

08454-242424

0845-601-8855

0845-988-1188

0800-300-999

0800 -111-999

0900-3401-100

Call Scotland TranServ - 0800-032-2520
for info on: A82; A86; A889; A830; A87; A9; A835; A887; A99

Call Bear Scotland - 0800-587-1107 - for info on:  A95 and A96

Advice to motorists

Highland Roadline:
(Please use these numbers rather than those of the police) 60p per minute
09003-401-363 (Highland roads and links to the south)
09003-401-100 (all other areas of Scotland)

Keeping Parents Informed
In recent years we have recognised a need to improve the service we provide in schools in keeping parents informed when bad weather strikes or there is a problem with school transport. In the past, parents and teachers alike were frustrated by the constraints of having only one telephone line available at the school.

Highland Schools Adverse Weather Web Site
Parents in Highland can now log on to their computer to check if their child's local school is closed by bad weather.  The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport Service has developed a new winter weather website, www.winter.highlandschools.org.uk , which is now operational. Parents just need to click on to the relevant geographical area for local school closure information. The website allows parents to access school closure information on the internet, thus reducing pressure on the very heavily used school telephone PIN number system. Parents are being assured that schools will continue to update the PIN number facility as well as the new website.  "While we can provide as much information and advice as we can, it is ultimately the responsibility of parents or carers to decide if a pupil should attempt to travel to school, by transport or on foot, when the weather is bad. The Education Authority encourages full attendance at school, but in severe weather conditions the safety of pupils is much more important. Parents should therefore continue to use good judgement in deciding whether it is safe to send a child to school."

Highland Schools Emergency Helpline
The helpline number is 0870 054 6999 and parents should then insert the PIN number relevant to their school.

The Highland Council has adopted an automated call handling system, devised by Thus PLC, one of the UK’s leading providers of communications’ solutions, which provides the service through a national call rate telephone number, thereby minimising costs.

The system allows the Head teacher to put on an adverse weather information as well as up to 10 general information messages on the school and school events.  By dialling in and inserting the school specific pin number, parents can access this information at anytime of day and can access information from more than one school within one telephone call.

This is potentially a considerable enhancement to the communication between school and home, you should still pay close attention to the existing arrangements, including radio announcements on school closures, outlined in the recent Adverse Weather Guidelines issued by your school.

When weather conditions are poor:-

  • Local radio stations issue news and weather bulletins on traffic conditions and school closures. Transmissions may not cover all households and may be subject to re-scheduling but should be helpful. Parents are advised to remain "tuned in" to ongoing road weather, or school information updates.

Broadcast times
BBC Radio Highland
6.55 am - 7.00 am
7.50 pm - 8.00 pm
12.55 pm - 1.00 pm
4.55 pm - 5.00 pm

In extreme conditions Radio Highland will interrupt Radio Scotland transmissions, usually on the hour, to carry emergency bulletins. Nevis Radio will carry bulletins at roughly ten minute intervals between 7.00 am and 8.00 am and Lochbroom FM at quarter-hour intervals between 7.15 am and 8.45 am.

Moray Firth Radio

Normally hourly news bulletins and half-hourly summaries will carry local information on weather, roads and conditions affecting schools. In severe conditions normal programmes will be interrupted more frequently to carry emergency bulletins.

SEPA flooding message

Many parts of the Highlands have suffered the dramatic and traumatic consequences of flooding in recent years. But the Floodline service from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency can help you protect your home or business. Call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or visit http://www.sepa.org.uk/flooding 

Floodline covers all of Scotland and gives notice of possible flooding. The service also provides advice about precautions to take. Floodline operates by giving an alert code indicating that there is a flood risk in a particular area. This alert, known as Flood Watch, will advise callers that they need to be aware, especially if the property is prone to flooding. 

'Flood Watch' means flooding is possible, and the situation could worsen, so: 

*              watch water levels and keep an eye on the weather
*              stay tuned to local radio or TV
*              make sure you have what you need to put your flood plan into action
*              reconsider travel plans
*              notify relevant departments/check resources
*              farmers - check livestock
*              check the Floodline quick dial number for your area regularly 

In some parts of the country, where there is a history of serious flooding, there are local flood warning schemes, operated by SEPA with local authorities and the police. The following set of standard codes applies throughout the UK. Remember - they apply only to existing flood warning scheme areas! (Call Floodline with your postcode to find out if you live within one of these areas.) 

'Flood Warning' means: flooding of homes, businesses and main roads is expected. Act now! 

'Severe Flood  Warning' means: serious flooding is expected. There is imminent danger to life and property. Act now! 

'All Clear' will be issued when there are no longer Flood Watches or Flood Warnings in force. Flood water levels receding. Check all is safe to return. Seek advice. 

All flood warning alerts are serious. Do take the appropriate steps as soon as you hear a warning. Don't wait until the situation gets worse before you do anything. The better prepared you are, the better you will cope with the effects of flooding. 

Highland Council will make filled sandbags available on request from the public in areas liable to flooding.  Where the elderly and housebound are affected the sandbags will be delivered.

The Highland Council has produced this leaflet to offer advice on how to keep safe and well throughout the winter.

ADVICE TO MOTORISTS
Motorists are advised to listen to weather forecasts and check with the Highland Road Hotline telephone numbers before setting off on a journey. These Premium Rate numbers have been set up to relieve the police control room of congestion at times of bad weather. They are 09003 401 363 (Highland roads and links to the south) and 09003 401 100 (all other areas of Scotland).

LOOK OUT FOR ICE
Winter weather can be very variable and it is easy to be caught out by sudden changes. Black ice can be a particular danger, it is not readily visible and can persist or recur even after the road surface has been treated with salt. Dawn frosts can also catch drivers unawares. At first light a clear sky will allow heat to radiate quickly from the road surface causing icy patches to form on wet or damp roads.

PREPARE YOUR VEHICLE
Before you travel make sure your vehicle is fit for the journey:
Check the anti-freeze level and strength in your radiator.  Top up the windscreen washer and add screen wash additive suitable for winter conditions.  Prepare for frost by keeping a de-icer spray and scraper in the car and another set at home.  Check that your tyres have plenty of tread depth and are at the correct pressure.  Check the fan belt and battery are both in good order.

PREPARE YOURSELF
If you are going on a long journey, it is always a good idea to pack the following:
A flask with a hot drink and some food. Extra warm clothing and/or blankets.  A torch, wellingtons and a shovel.

Snow Clearing & Gritting
LOCAL COUNCIL ROADS
From the beginning of October until the end of March The Council monitors roads and weather conditions to provide a winter maintenance service for the treatment of ice and snow conditions on local roads. Personnel, gritting and snowploughing vehicles are deployed throughout the council areas. Salt is held in strategically placed stores throughout the Highlands.

Snowblowers are also strategically located to deal with severe snow conditions when they arise. It is not possible to treat every road at the same time, so priority routes have been established.

First Priority
is given to identified main routes and these will be covered from 6am - 9pm Monday - Saturday.  Second Priority is given to other strategic routes, including bus routes and the cover is 6am - 9pm Monday - Saturday.

Second Priority
is given to other strategic routes, including bus routes and the cover is 6am - 9pm Monday - Saturday.

Third Priority
applies to urban streets and school bus routes and the cover is between 6am - 6pm Monday - Saturday.  Fourth Priority applies to the other routes as resources allow. Difficult and steep routes being treated before the rest.  Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day cover will be provided for First Priority routes only between 7am - 9pm.

Bus Routes
gritting will not necessarily be completed before buses start their journey.

FOOTWAYS
Like roads, footways have been prioritized and will be covered Monday to Saturday between 6am - 6pm.
On Sundays and Public Holidays, the cover will be between 7am - noon.
Priority One: Main urban shopping centres;
Priority Two: Main urban footways serving schools, hospitals and minor shopping areas;
Priority Three: Other footways as resources permit.
There will be no footway treatment on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day

TRUNK ROADS
Transerv is responsible for Trunk roads

STREET LIGHTING
At this time of the year, there is an increased risk of accidents, theft and burglary. It is therefore important to report street lighting faults so they can be repaired as soon as possible. Please report faults to your local contact point point during working hours or 0845 769 7284 out of hours.

Flooding - You Can Prepare For It
If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, do what you can now to prepare for a flood. Don’t wait
until it happens, you may not have time.

Make sure you have adequate insurance.

Flood damage is included in most buildings insurance policies but do check your home and contents are covered.

Make up a flood kit - including key personal documents, torch, battery or wind-up radio, mobile phone, rubber gloves, wellington boots, waterproof clothing, first aid kit and Keep details of your insurance policy and the emergency contact number somewhere safe - preferably as part of your flood kit.

Make a list of useful numbers you may need - local Council Service Point, the emergency services and your SEPA Floodline quick-dial code – obtained during your first call to Floodline.

Get into the habit of storing valuable or sentimental items and important documents upstairs or in a high place.  Keep some sandbags or other purpose made flood protection products to block doorways and airbricks - a list of manufacturers and suppliers is available through Floodline.

Make sure you know where to turn off your gas, electricity and water. If you’re not sure, ask the person who checks your meter when they next visit. Mark the tap or switch with a sticker to help you remember.
Floodline - 0845 988 1188 – a 24 hours a day, 365 days a year public information service providing Scotland-wide flood alert information through Flood Watch, more specific alerts for areas covered by Flood Warning schemes, and general advice on how to prepare for and cope with flooding.

Flooding can also be reported through Floodline.  The service is supported by live flood updates at www.sepa.org.uk/flooding

SANDBAGS
Please note: The Highland Council will make filled sandbags available on request from the public in areas liable to flooding. Where the elderly and housebound are affected the sandbags will be delivered. Sandbags can be collected from council depots as the need arises.  In times of severe weather it may be better to collect your won sand bags as the services may have to many calls to be able to reach everyone in time.

For More Fire Safety Information Go To - www.community-fire-safety.org.uk

Highland Roadline
Please use the Highland Roadline premium rate numbers below
rather than those of the police to establish road conditions:
09003 401 363  for Highland roads and links to the south
09003 401 100  for all other areas of Scotland
(Provided by Northern Constabulary and AA Road Watch)

Transerv deals with the Trunk Road network

The above is taken from the Highland Council leaflet.