Nightshift gritters halted as council cuts back

LATE-NIGHT gritting routes have been axed across Perthshire despite the local authority admitting it has enough vehicles to provide the service.

Perth and Kinross Council has cut two nightshift gritting lorries in Aberfeldy and Perth, leaving the vehicles sitting idle while roads are left untreated during the harsh winter conditions.

The local authority has also axed the nightshift control room for the gritters, claiming it is no longer needed due to the reduction in service.

The council admitted only four of its fleet of six gritters is being used on the nightshift routes, despite a backlash from residents during recent whiteouts.

A spokesman said: “Operationally, officers reduced the number of nightshift gritting routes from six to four, a decision based on the experiences and requirements of previous winters.

“No reduction in the gritting fleet was made and all six gritters are available for use.

“Due to the reduction in the number of nightshift gritting routes a nightshift control room was no longer a requirement because the existing standby rotas were flexible enough to provide adequate cover.”

However, Highland Perthshire SNP councillor, Mike Williamson, believes the cuts have badly affected rural communities in Highland Perthshire this month.

“I am concerned about the recent cuts to nighttime treatment of roads from the Aberfeldy depot.

“Everyone should anticipate a level of service that is appropriate to the winter conditions.

“Whether it is key workers who need to travel to care for people in their own homes, or farmers who rely upon deliveries of supplies at this time of year.”

The reduction in service was revealed as the region awoke to another whiteout.

Perth, Auchterarder and Dunkeld all experienced snowfall while sections of Highland Perthshire have been a whiteout for more than a week.