Golf staff should be digging in
Call for snow-clearing aid
Perth and Kinross Council is preparing itself for the winter weather Golf course greenkeepers should be deployed to help clear snow during the winter, according to one local councillor.
Councillor Willie Robertson made the call at a meeting of Perth and Kinross Council’s environment and infrastructure committee last week, when councillors were updated on the plans for dealing with the bad weather this winter.
Stuart D’All, roads maintenance partnership manager at the council, told the committee the winter plan for last year’s severe winter worked well, so this year there would be “no huge change to proposals”.
However, Cllr Robertson (Kinross-shire) asked if golf club greenkeepers could be relied upon to voluntarily clear the roads of snow during winter.
This comes after the committee was told the number of farmers volunteering to help out is down this year.
Mr D’All said they didn’t have a real reason for why this is, but suggested it may be generational “where younger farmers are less prepared to participate in the scheme”.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Robertson said: “With regards to the pavements in villages and smaller towns, it is always difficult to get everything covered, particularly routes for children walking to school.
“Is there a partnership agreement with golf clubs in those villages?
“When it is snowing, greenkeeping staff are doing nothing and they will have tractors ideal for that sort of work.”
However, his comments received a backlash from his fellow elected members.
Cllr Mike Williamson (Highland) said he had tried in previous years to recruit golf club greenkeepers to voluntarily carry out this type of work, but the costs of fitting the right equipment to their vehicles was too high.
He said: “I don’t think any greenkeeper would thank you for that comment, they are busy people.
“Greenkeepers in your constituency won’t be happy to hear that.”
Stuart D’All added: “We have asked to involve golf club greenkeepers, but often costs involved are too great.
“The greenkeepers have the equipment and are happy to do it, but the operational costs in running it was too high and there were other logistically issues. We have looked at this, but not managed it in reality.”
The winter maintenance plan was agreed unanimously at the committee meeting.
They will have tractors ideal for that work