Winter grit bill anxiety

More salt used

Stirling Council has so far this winter used more grit on the area’s roads than the amount spread during the whole of last winter.

The authority’s road treatment operation was criticised last month as rain and snow, followed by freezing temperatures, left roads and pavements like glass.

Forth Valley Royal Hospital and Stirling Minor Injuries Unit were inundated with people who had suffered sprains and broken bones after slipping on treacherous surfaces.

The council set aside a net £729,000 for winter maintenance and so far this winter it has used 6000 tonnes of salt across the network.

“This is more than we used for the whole winter period in 2016-17,” said a spokesman.

“Our gritting team has been working day and night in response to the adverse weather and, as well as treating roads, have spread salt on pavements, footpaths, car parks and at public buildings, including clinics and schools.”

Officials say the authority currently has 1500 tonnes of salt in stock and are awaiting delivery of a further 2500 tonnes. There were reports in the national press last week that some councils had already spent their entire winter maintenance budget.

Highland Council said their £5 million budget for treating roads and pavements had been exceeded by £500,000.

Stirling Council was unable to say whether its budget had been already spent because the information had not yet been made available to councillors and committees.