Winter road clearing priorities in Badenoch and Strathspey agreed by Highland councillors
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Local Highland councillors have approved the priorities for winter road clearing this coming winter in Badenoch and Strathspey.
Members of the authority's Badenoch and Strathspey area committee agreed to approve the 2021/22 winter maintenance plan in their virtual meeting yesterday.
This includes a road map of prioritised gritting routes.
Members heard from road bosses there have been no changes from last year’s arrangements and no change to budget or resources.
The roads management team highlighted that the fleet in the strath is relatively young.
The report also highlighted that were a lot of pressures last year in terms of vehicle breakdown but since then the team has had discussions with headquarters and are expecting an improvement in that area.
Committee chairman Bill Lobban said: “As always we will keep a close eye on the plan throughout the winter period and respond to any changes in weather conditions by using our existing resources to best effect.”
Primary routes are treated first, followed by secondary routes and crews will only move on to treat other roads when the primary and secondary routes are all completed as resources permit.
The plan highlights footway treatment times. From Monday to Friday the service will be provided between 6am and 6pm and footways will be treated on a priority basis as resources permit.
On weekends and public holidays the service will be provided between 6am and noon on primary and strategic footways as resources permit.
There will be no service for footways on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.
Highland Council is also encouraging local communities to apply for self-help through the 'Winter Resilience' scheme where the local authority can provide salt bins, scrapers and reflective waistcoats.
A council spokesperson said: "While this does not replace council services, it allows communities to be more resilient in their own local areas."
Details of the Badenoch and Strathspey area winter maintenance approved yesterday can be found here
