£1 million investment in Highland roads treatment force
Badenoch and Strathspey is to get two new snow ploughs.
The strath’s roads teams are awaiting delivery, a spokesperson at the Highland Council confirmed this morning.
Overall the authority is investing in six new winter gritting vehicles to replace some of the ageing fleet. Three have been delivered, with another three to be delivered shortly.
The vehicles, funded from the Council’s fleet capital budget, will replace ageing winter maintenance gritters.
Chair of economy and infrastructure Ken Gowans said: “The new vehicles represent an investment of approximately £1M for our winter fleet. Modernising our fleet by buying the new vehicles is an investment that will help us provide our communities with an efficient and reliable service over the coming winter months.
“These new top-of-the range vehicles have all the equipment to make them as efficient as possible when carrying out the work.”
He added: “The first significant winter weather of the season last week affected communities across the Highlands. The new fleet of snow ploughs will have an important role in making sure we are able to provide our communities with the best service we can within the resources available.”
The vehicles are being allocated as follows: one for the Inverness area, two 2 the Isle of Skye, one to Fort William (awaiting delivery) and two to Badenoch & Strathspey (awaiting delivery)
Details of the council’s highland wide and local area gritting policies and maps are available on the council’s website
As in previous years, Highland Council is offering assistance to communities who wish to take action in their own area to help clear snow and ice from footpaths but providing salt in either bins or heaps, snow shovels and pushers, gloves and hi-viz vests, Health and Safety advice to volunteers and public liability insurance.
Full guidance and an application form can be found here
Today’s road conditions report issued at 7.34 this morning confirmed positive road and air temperatures at 6am but a light precautionary treatment being applied to all Priority 1 and 2 roads due to a forecasted dip in temperatures at daylight.
There were no issues.
