Transport minister: 'We must be ready to respond'

Published on Monday 13 December 2010 18:37

Keith Brown, the Scottish Government's new transport minister, has started work in his new role.

Mr Brown joined finance secretary John Swinney to meet staff at Transport Scotland and also heard from rail industry representatives on their preparations for the expected return of cold weather.

The minister also undertook a visit to one of the operating companies delivering gritting services for the strategic road network, before taking part in the Scottish Government's Resilience meeting, which co-ordinates the government's emergency response to the weather.

"My focus as new transport minister is to ensure everything possible is being done to keep Scotland moving," Mr Brown said.

"We acknowledge there are lessons to be learned and we need to communicate better our advice to the travelling public - I am working hard with my Government colleagues to ensure we do just that.

"I have met a range of agencies today, all involved in the task to ensure we are as prepared as we can be to respond to the forecasted change of weather.

"All those involved know we must be ready and are straining every sinew to be prepared."