Council will assist Sutherland communities clear snow and ice from footpaths

The Highland Council is reminding Sutherland residents that its winter gritting programme has started and will continue until April 14, 2022.

As in previous years, the council is offering assistance to communities who wish to take action in their own area to help clear snow and ice from footpaths. The council will provide salt in either bins or heaps, snow shovels and pushers, gloves and hi-vis vests and health and safety advice to volunteers. If anyone thinks that there is a need for a new grit bin in their area, please don’t wait until it snows or gets icy – please apply now.

Full guidance and an application form can be found on the council’s website: www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/download/836/winter_resilience_community_aid

The council monitors road and weather conditions across its road network responding with a winter fleet of 105 gritters, 42 footpath tractors, 1 snowblower and over 200 staff. Trunk Roads such as the main A9, A96, A82, and A87 among others are maintained by Bear Scotland.

The gritting service begins at 6am each day, as and when required. There is a Monday to Friday service in which all roads are treated and a weekend service which includes treatment of all the Primary routes, strategic Secondary routes and difficult "Other" routes. The service is provided within the resources available and as weather conditions permit.

Details of the council’s gritting policy and maps are on the council’s website at www.highland.gov.uk/gritting

Covid-19 continues to present the council with significant challenges. Motorists and members of the public should recognise that despite the council taking all necessary precautions, there is still a risk that should an outbreak occur within one of the council’s depots, the level of service provided may be affected due to the requirement of driver(s) to self-isolate.

Should this occur, resources will be supplemented, where possible, with drivers who have the correct licence requirements from within the council. Subsequently this could have a knock-on effect in the delivery of other services such as Waste and Amenities.

If such an event were to reduce the resources available to treat the road network this would result in those resources being deployed to treat routes in priority order according to the council’s winter maintenance policy. This possible course of action may lead to the treatment of some routes being delayed until adequate resources become available.

For further information visit www.highland.gov.uk/gritting

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