How police drones could help if wintry conditions cut off Caithness 'like an island'
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The potential benefits of using drones to help with traffic issues in Caithness and beyond was discussed at a community council meeting on Monday evening.
Allan Farquhar, chairman of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council (RBWCC), introduced the subject of Police Scotland using remotely powered drones to aid with traffic problems on the A9 road.
"The police could use drones to find out how big problems are with tailbacks but we've had problems with roads blocked with snow and further south hundreds and hundreds of cars have been stuck in [flood]water," he said to the members. "Are the police going to consider that or not so they can have an overview to tell what the situation is?"
Mr Farquhar said that the question would be put to a local police representative, if possible, at the next meeting of the RBWCC.
The point was taken up by Wick's provost and Liberal Democrat councillor for Wick and East Caithness Jan McEwan who quoted north MP Jamie Stone when he described Caithness as an "island" after the snow gates were recently closed due to wintry conditions.
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"If they can go up, with weather permitting, the police could use drones for monitoring traffic because when these gates are shut Caithness becomes an island," said the councillor.
"There's no way in and no way out by rail, air or road."
She later said that the county should have island status to give people an incentive to come up and work. "We need to have incentives to get professionals up here with allowances like they have in the Islands. We need care workers, social workers, teachers, police officers, mental health staff and other health professionals to come and work in Caithness. I think giving them incentives would work."
Mr Farquhar talked about the problems created when traffic is stuck on the A9 and mentioned a special store of food that could be given to motorists stuck in the snow or through flooding. "Highland Council have a resilience store of food and other things for drivers who are stuck for hours and hours." Cllr McEwan talked about situations she had experienced when in Ayrshire where people were sometimes stuck in snow for up to 10 hours. "Some people were there with kids," she added.
"People need toilet facilities as well if they're stuck for 10 hours. It's a long time to go without anything but this could happen in summer as well if there's an accident and the roads are shut. It would be good if they could get some food and drink," said the chairman.
Electric vehicles were highlighted as having their own set of problems if stuck for hours on the roads and unable to be charged up. Cllr McEwan said that motorists venturing out for long journeys in the winter should consider taking a "blanket, shovel, water, snacks, a candle and some matches".
The chairman said that the RBWCC suggestions on the benefits of drones for highlighting traffic issues would be sent to the local police liaison officer.
