Black Gaet not gritted

With the forecast of wintry weather returning to Shetland, would it be too much to ask that the roads department ensure that major roads and accident black spots are well gritted?

While on my way to work on Wednesday morning, I had the unfortunate job of negotiating the Black Gaet junction at Gulberwick. On approach, I slowed my speed and approached the junction. However, what I then encountered was not a well-gritted road, but instead a sheet of ice.

My car began to skid and on almost reaching the junction, I was faced with a dumper truck heading towards me at high speed. With sheer luck, I managed to swerve on to the grass verge and come to a stop only just touching the crash barrier. I was then horrified to find that at least another two people had had the same accident just after me.

This weather had been forecast since the beginning of the week, so why were the more dangerous roads such as the Black Gaet not gritted? Unfortunately, it seems that it is going to take a very serious or even fatal crash before the council and the roads department pays attention to the danger that this junction poses.

Kirsten Yule
Scalloway.