Outlining its response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the company said: “We are currently working in difficult and unprecedented times.  The safety of our employees and supply chain is always of paramount importance and we’re closely following Government advice in relation to our staff and our business.  This is changing on a daily basis, and we’re doing our utmost to adhere to any new advice as it emerges. 

“At present all staff are working from home where possible. We have taken the decision to suspend operations, and are making safe various worksites this week following which only essential services such as our Incident Control Room, winter maintenance, emergency response and essential road safety operations will continue.  We’ve also taken steps to make our workplaces as safe as possible with strict protocols in place which limit contact and adhere to social distancing guidance.  

“As noted, we are currently working to ensure that any ongoing non-essential road maintenance projects are paused and left in a manner which is safe for public use.  Any work which was scheduled to begin in the coming weeks will be reprogrammed, and stakeholders will be kept informed of any new dates.”

BEAR provides an essential service ensuring the trunk road network across the north of Scotland along with the A92 Dundee to Arbroath and the M80 Stepps to Haggs are fit for the purpose of national resilience including delivery of food and medical supplies, as well as ensuring vital access for the use of the emergency services and critical workers.

The company added: “We are working to support the Ministerial call for efforts to be focused on delivering critical services to safeguard our road network, helping to ensure that Scotland’s emergency services can still reach those most in need during this difficult time.

“We will endeavour to provide updates to this situation as they arise. In the meantime, please stay home and follow advice for keeping safe.”

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