Over 8,000 motorists rescued from Scotland’s roads

02/04/2014 | HIGHWAYS REPORTERS

Scotland TranServ’s Trunk Roads Incident Support Service (TRISS) teams have assisted more than 8,000 stranded motorists on Scotland’s major trunk roads over the last year.

Working on behalf of Transport Scotland, the TRISS and wider incident support unit (ISU) teams patrol the network across south west Scotland looking for stranded motorists to help. They are supported and directed by colleagues back at the Polmadie and at Traffic Scotland in South Queensferry who monitor the motorways through fixed cameras that relay instant images back to these nerve centres.

Since the contract began in April 2013, the TRISS teams have helped more than 8,000 drivers, attending over 98% of incidents within 20 minutes.

Network control centre manager Tommy Docherty said: “The tireless efforts of the TRISS and ISU teams often goes unappreciated by many motorists, sometimes they are mistaken for speed camera vans or works vans and do receive some abuse. The majority of drivers though are thankful that they are there to lend a hand and keep drivers safe if they get in trouble. On more than one occasion they’ve come to the aid of motorists in dire straits and we do receive some complementary letters and emails.”

On one recent occasion TRISS operatives Iain Barr (pictured) and John Burnside attended a stranded motorist on the M8 at Glasgow Airport. Lynn Murdoch’s car had broken down on a stretch of the motorway where there is no hard shoulder, and where it was difficult for other drivers to see her. They towed her to a safe place above the motorway at Arkleston and helped her to contact her husband.

She said: “They even offered to stay with me until he arrived. After the event I had chest pains, dizziness and a pain in my left arm. My husband took me to hospital where it was confirmed that I had suffered a heart attack, due to the fear of almost being killed on the motorway. The two operatives were absolutely fantastic with me, and I am so grateful to them.”

Murdoch attended the Royal Alexandria Hospital in Paisley, where she has since made a full recovery.

Russell Rennie, Scotland TranServ’s contract director added: “The service provided by our TRISS and ISU teams is invaluable. It is amazing that for such a small team they seem to be ever present on our trunk roads. They continually patrol the network to offer what assistance they can and to keep stranded motorists safe, using the highly visible vehicles and its electronic signage as a barrier to notify oncoming traffic.”

 

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Director of Transport

£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recruiter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Ferry Host - WMF3049i

£25,584 - £25,992
Ferry Host - WMF3049i Windermere, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Director of Streetscene

£94,972 - £108,767
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recruiter: Fareham Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Chargehand (2 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for experienced Project Chargehands to be part of the Highways Construction Services team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Services Partnering Manager to lead the strategic management Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are looking for an experienced and driven Technical Supervision Manager to lead our technical supervision teams within the Highways Service. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Lighting Electrician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (pay award pending)
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Inspector/NRSWA

£36,345 - £40,344
We are looking for an organised and self-motivated individual to join our Streetworks Team based in Hackney Central. Hackney, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Structures Commissioner

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader Network Co-ordination

£51,429 - £58,140
As Team Leader for Network Coordination, you’ll manage a team that oversees all works and events on our public highways. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Principal Transport Planner

£45,718 to £49,764
Do you have considerable experience in the transport strategy and policy, and are you looking for your next career development opportunity? Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Sheffield City Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW