Roll-out of extra grit supplies after prolonged severe weather

Large grit bags have been placed in key locations across Inverness and the surrounding area to support local communities following nine days of severe winter weather. 

The additional grit bags will enable communities to top up existing grit bins themselves, allowing roads crews to continue to focus on the wider treatment of priority routes and pavements.  Areas which don’t currently have grit bins will also be supported by these additional grit supplies to help treat their local area. 

The initiative has been made possible thanks to the support of local contractor, Highland Lift and Shift, and is being piloted as a new approach to strengthen community winter resilience.  

Grit bins are located at strategic points for use on the public roads and footpaths during adverse weather and are not for commercial use.  

If the pilot proves successful, the Council will look to embed the approach into future severe weather planning.

Councillor Ken Gowans, Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee and member of the Inverness South Ward commented:  “After an exceptionally challenging spell of winter weather, we know how hard members of the public have been working – and continue to work – to keep their neighbourhoods and local communities as safe as possible with the current forecast.”

“These additional grit supplies are about giving members of the public the tools they need to look after their local area while our road crews continue to focus on priority routes.”

Councillor Gowans concluded:  “Our thanks to Highland Lift and Shift for their support in helping us to deliver this pilot initiative, aiming to strengthen community winter resilience.  By working together, we can ensure we’re all better prepared when severe weather hits.”  

Grit bags will be distributed to the following areas this afternoon: 

• Culloden Shops, Car Park, off Keppoch Road 
• Woodside Village, Westhill  
• Cradlehall Shops, Cradlehall Court 
• Milton of Leys Shops, Car Park, near Leys Square 
• Kinmylies Shops, Car Park, off General Booth’s Road. 
• Craig Dunain Duck Pond, Forester’s Way 
• Slackbuie, near the Slackbuie Road/Slackbuie Brae junction. 
• Ness Castle - Brodie Road, near Ness Castle Primary School 
• Ardersier, near the Clachan Road/Station Road junction. 
• Croy Village Hall, Car Park 
• Balloch, Bus Turning Circle, south of Edgemoor Park. 

Salt supplies across in the Highlands remain healthy and there are no issues with stock levels. Additional deliveries are also expected via Scrabster and Corpach this week, which will strengthen supplies for the remainder of the winter season. 

Although snowfall has eased across the region, temperatures are expected to remain low over the coming days, with ice now the main hazard heading into the weekend.  

The Council continues to prioritise the treatment of roads and footpaths and communities are encouraged to use salt sparingly, as many grit bins won’t be restocked until resources allow. Waste and amenities teams have been supporting the roads team to restock bins, clear and gritting footpaths over the last few days.  Specific requests for grit bin refilling can be made via the Council’s service centre, contact details can be found here:  https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/591/council_and_government/535/contact_us  

For guidance on how to use salt effectively on public roads and footpaths to avoid wastage, visit: https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/20005/roads_and_pavements/107/winter_road_maintenance/3