Cairngorms economy fear if blower runs out of puff
If the strath’s only snow blower breaks it would be a ‘disaster’ for the local economy.
Highland councillors have been warned the old and run down equipment based in Aviemore has reached the end of its life but there are no plans to replace it.
It is often used to clear the Cairngorm ski road from Aviemore to the gates at Glenmore that lead on to the ski slopes at CairnGorm Mountain.
Richard Porteous, the council’s road operations manager, told councillors at the latest area committee: "We still have one old snow blower based in Aviemore.
"It’s still soldiering on but for a couple of years now we have been discussing what might happen when it finally gives up and we don’t really have an answer.
"We would love to see it replaced because it is a lot more efficient in opening roads."
The council has ordered a purpose built snow cutter head which attaches to tractor has been ordered and will be based in Grantown to clear deep or drifted snow.
But committee chairman Bill Lobban said the blower must be replaced. "If there is a single weekend with good weather and that road is blocked, what we would lose locally in income would pay for a new blower. It would be a disaster, the economic impact doesn’t even bear thinking about.
"We keep being told it’s on its last legs so one days it is going to give up the ghost and we’re going to be stuck. There has to be something in the capital plan to provide a replacement. It is not acceptable for us not to have one."
The committee agreed to ask the council for a new snow blower as part of the next capital plan.
Keeping the A9 Inverness-Perth road open in the bad weather is the responsibility of trunk road contractor BEAR Scotland.
Local councillors also approved the area’s winter maintenance plan for next year, which will be operated by 11 staff, five gritters, the new snow cutter and four footpath tractors.
The council has said that there will be more snow clearing vehicles on the roads in the strath this winter than last.
A local authority spokeswoman said: "A new gritter vehicle has been delivered and is now operational in the strath.
"In addition Badenoch and Strathspey has recently taken delivery of a new upgraded vehicle which although smaller than the standard 18 tonne and 26 tonne vehicles is more adapted to treating roads in residential areas.
"This now means there are six vehicles capable of snow clearing – one more than last winter. A further replacement is due mid-December when one of the larger all-wheel drive vehicles is being renewed.
"At that point four of the six vehicles will be less than three years old and the strath will actually have the most modern fleet of any of the local areas.
"In the short term, and with due consideration of the current economic climate, it is unlikely that a new purpose built snow blower will be purchased."
The council’s weather forecast provider Meteo Group Ltd provides daily and five day weather forecasts which informs the treatment of the local roads and footpaths.
Primary routes (99km, 25%) are treated first followed by secondary routes (76km 20%) and crews will treat other roads (215km, 55%) as resources permit and primary and secondary route treatments are completed. Around 5500 tonnes of salt is used in the strath every winter.
The policy and gritting route priorities map for the strath approved can be viewed on the council’s website at: http://www.highland.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/71187/item_9_roads_winter_maintenance_plan_for_201617
