Extra salt and gritters this winter
Ready for cold weather
Additional gritters and salt bags will be made available to help Perth and Kinross communities in the event of severe weather conditions in the coming winter.
It comes after it was revealed more gritting was carried out last winter than in any of the previous seven years - with almost all the activity compressed into the seven weeks after New Year.
Despite the aid promise, the council has set a winter maintenance budget of £3.81 million for 2021/2022, nearly a million pounds less than for the previous winter.
Perth and Kinross experienced heavy snowfall at the turn of the year leading to 37 days of snowploughing - the second highest recorded data in the past seven winters.
Expenditure during the 2020/21 winter period reflected the severe weather and was the second highest over the last seven winters at £4,774,268, with only winter 2017/18, when the ‘Beast from the East’ hit, exceeding this cost at £5,045,623.
A total of 24,158 tonnes of salt was spread, an increase of 6000 tonnes compared to the previous winter.
Around 910km of the council’s 2500km road network is designated as a high priority for winter service.
The level of services for gritting and snow clearing for this winter will be further discussed by councillors at the next environment and infrastructure committee meeting on Wednesday.
For this season the winter maintenance period will run from October 18, 2021, to April 3, 2022, with a phased approach to provide full cover.
PKC says its engagement with communities has also highlighted a desire to be able to “help themselves”.
To support this PKC is offering
additional push-along gritters for community use this winter, as well as additional bulk bags of salt, on request, to supplement the grit bin provision.
Criminal Justice Community Payback services and council greenspace and housing colleagues will also be available to assist communities with snow clearing.
The council is also asking people to preserve grit for priority use on public roads, and not to use it on private property, paths or roads.
As part of the shared approach PKC has made voluntary arrangements with 42 farmers, to whom the council supplies
snowploughs, which can be fitted on to their own vehicles.
In addition, 28 farmers have indicated they are available to help out in severe conditions to undertake snow clearing of additional lengths of road.
Convener of the environment committee Councillor Angus Forbes said: “Winter is an unpredictable season where conditions can change very quickly, and each year we continue to develop innovative approaches to maintain our road networks and make every effort to make all possible preparations.
“With thanks to our very dedicated
staff members as well as volunteers from our communities, we are able maintain a strong track record for our winter maintenance service across Perth and Kinross.
“They go above and beyond each year to keep our roads and footpaths as safe as possible for everyone.
“We are always grateful for volunteers such as our local farmers who undertake snow clearing on public roads.
“If there are any members of our communities who would like to assist with the gritting of local footpaths, we would encourage them to please get in touch.”