Highland Council Advice - Get Ready For Winter On Roads

28th September 2011

Road conditions
The Council's aim is to help keep you safe on the roads, whether you are driving or walking. We shall take such steps as we consider reasonable to prevent the formation of snow and ice to the endangerment of vehicles and pedestrians. Highland has the longest road network of any Council within Scotland and as such it is simply not possible to treat every road at the same time. We have therefore established a priority system which targets roads based on their local importance

Throughout the winter season (October to April) the Council receives comprehensive weather forecasts which are assessed by trained staff in each of our seven Area offices. This information, along with real time weather data gathered from the Council's sophisticated ice detection system (ICELERT), is used to create daily action plans for treatment of Council roads in accordance with the winter service policy.

We have a fleet of ploughs, gritters and snowblowers which are deployed throughout the Council Area ready to deal with snow conditions as and when they arise.

Trunk roads
The Highland Council is NOT responsible for winter maintenance on Trunk Roads. Transport Scotland have appointed two operating companies, BEAR Scotland and Scotland Transerv, to manage and maintain those roads within Highland.

Contacts
For the routes A95 and A96 contact BEAR Scotland on 0800 028 1414.
For all other trunk routes (A9, A82, A86, A87, A99 (Latheron to Wick), A828, A830, A835, A887 and A889) contact Scotland Transerv on 0800 028 1414.

Route priorities
Route priorities and service periods
Highland has the longest road network of any Council within Scotland and as such it is simply not possible to treat every road at the same time. We have therefore established a priority system which targets roads based on their local importance and eight area maps are available under 'Current Documents' to the right of this page.

Priority 1 - (the highest) is given to identified main routes.
Service is provided between 6am and 9pm, Monday to Saturday.
Priority 2 - other strategic routes including bus routes.
*Service is provided between 6am and 9pm, Monday to Saturday.
Priority 3 - is given to main urban streets and school bus routes.**
Service is provided between 6am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
Priority 4 - is given to all remaining routes and these will be treated as and when resources permit.

* On bus routes gritting will not necessarily be completed before buses start their journey.
** Contracted school buses or mini buses.
Sundays and Public Holidays including Christmas and New Years Day.
Priority 1 routes, Service Bus Routes (where appropriate) and Main Urban Streets. Treatment will occur between 7am and 9pm.

Footways
Like roads, footways are prioritised and treated as follows:

Priorities and Service Periods - Monday to Saturday 6am to 6pm
Priority 1 - Main urban shopping areas.
Priority 2 - Main urban footways serving schools, hospitals and minor shopping areas.
Priority 3 - Other urban footways as resources permit.
Sunday and Public Holidays, 7am to noon: Main urban shopping centres only.
Christmas Day and New Years Day: No Footway Treatment.

To drive or not to drive
Winter weather conditions within the Highlands can be very localised and it is easy to be caught out by sudden changes. Black ice can be a particular danger, it is not visible and can persist or recur even after the road has been treated with salt. Dawn frosts can also catch drivers unawares. At first light a clear sky will allow heat to radiate quickly from the road surface causing icy patches to form on wet or damp roads.

Could your journey be postponed until conditions improve?
If your journey is not absolutely necessary - don't make it!

Be prepared
If you must make a journey in difficult conditions prepare yourself beforehand and consider the following points:

Prepare your vehicle:

Make sure your vehicle is fit for the journey ahead.
Top up the windscreen washer bottle.
Check that all your lights are working - remember "its not to see but to be seen".
Check your tyre pressures and tread depths. Consider also the merits of fitting winter tyres, particularly where journeys are being undertaken in rural areas.
Prepare for frost by keeping a de-icer spray and scraper in the car.
Prepare yourself:

Take a blanket and/or extra warm clothing.
Take a flask with a hot drink and some food.
Take a torch, boots and a shovel.
Contact numbers
01349 886601 - Office hours 8am to 6pm Mon-Fri, 9am to noon Saturday.
0845 769 7284 - Emergency Out of Hours