Snowfall Chaos is Chilling Reminder for New Transport Minister

Eagle Couriers Press releases

Angry transport boss Jerry sends icy warning to Government, with help of Edinburgh PR Agency

Jerry StewartThe boss of Scotland’s biggest independent courier firm last night warned that Scotland’s new transport minister faces a frosty reception from disappointed road users.

Jerry Stewart, director of Eagle Couriers was among thousands of M8 commuters left raging by motorway chaos during Scotland’s first dusting of snow.

And he said new Transport minister Derek Mackay must quickly get a grip on weather-related road problems to avoid a repeat of “Snowmageddon” during the winter of 2010-11.

Mr Stewart – whose fleet of 100 vehicles make 2000 plus journeys along the M8 every week – told how his own 15 mile morning commute from Airdrie to Bathgate took 65 minutes while Scotland’s main traffic artery was throttled by 10 mile tailbacks.

He added: “This is the first snowfall of the winter and it was far from heavy – so this really does not bode well for motorists and other road users.

Snow Traffic“I don’t know if the authorities failed to get gritters out on time or whatever. The bottom line is that this weather was hardly unexpected, hardly extreme and hardly a cause for effectively shutting down our main motorway.

“A road like the M8 is crucial to virtually every aspect of Scottish life, so it must not be so badly affected by weather problems. The horrendous situation from early 2011 is still very fresh in the memory. We were promised that the Scottish Government was getting its act together after that.

“Perhaps they have taken their eye off the ball because we had such a relatively trouble-free winter on the roads last years.

“If that is the case, then hopefully today’s unacceptable situation on the M8 will wake them up. Derek Mackay is new in the job of Transport Minister and I am certain this is not the start he would have wanted.”

In 2011 then new Transport Minister Keith Brown sought out Jerry Stewart to apologise for traffic chaos and to reassure him everything possible was being done to prevent repeat problems.

Eagle Nerve CentreEagle Couriers has been operating for 30 years and its diverse work includes making emergency deliveries for the NHS and the Scottish Blood Transfusion Service. The firm has bases in Edinburgh, Glasgow and its HQ in Bathgate, West Lothian.

It has a 3500-strong client base including the BBC, the NHS, public sector organisations and sole traders. As business-to-business experts, Eagle Couriers help other firms operate more efficiently and profitably by safely delivering on time everything from documents, medical samples and engine parts to sports footage, scripts and TV props.

Further information on Eagle Couriers can be found at www.eaglecouriers.co.uk  or on 0845 123 1230.

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