Winter service policy approved for Highland Council roads

16th August 2018

The Winter Service Policy for The Highland Council this coming winter 2018/19 has been approved by Members of the Council's Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee.

The Council's policy relates to clearing and gritting of Highland Council adopted roads, cycle ways, footways and footpaths.

Members have agreed that a standard weekend service will be introduced to the Council Winter Service Policy, with the same service level being provided on both days. At present, 100% of roads may be treated on a Saturday with approximately 33% treated on a Sunday. The new weekend service will be applied where up to 65% of the network may be treated on both a Saturday and Sunday.

Members also agreed that options on the budget for the winter service are included in any public engagement undertaken for the Council's budget from 2019/20 onwards.

Councillors noted the actions being taken by Community Services to improve the Council’s Winter Service including the creation of a new salt store at Lochinver Harbour which is now ready for operation. Plans for other salt store depots at Strontian, Lochcarron and Sconser are also being evaluated.

Test trials of applying brine on a rural route in Badenoch and Strathspey and urban route in Inverness is planned for this winter and Members will be informed of the trial results at a future committee.

New for this winter, the Council hopes to make available a ‘live tracking’ facility on the council’s website so that the public can see where the council’s fleet of gritters are in operation. Members were informed that Community Services are in discussion with their vehicle tracking supplier to bring this system online.

Councillor Allan Henderson, Chair of the Council’s Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee said: "I would like to thank Members who took part in the winter service review for their input and to the community councils who responded to the consultation. I am pleased that we have now set Highland Council’s Winter Service Policy for the coming winter. It is important that we share the message that this is Highland Council’s Policy for the maintenance of Highland Council roads.

"The maintenance of Trunk roads is the responsibility of Transport Scotland and their operators BEAR Scotland (North West) and they have their own separate policies and procedures.

"Members will now set local priorities for local roads at Area Committees working within the constraints and resources available providing that the length of roads treated remains the same."

Highland Council’s Winter Service Policy for 2018/19 will be published on the Council’s website at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting