Councillors "astonished" by looming changes to winter gritting
A bleak picture was painted today when councillors were briefed on planned cuts to winter gritting services for Inverness and the surrounding area.
Members of the City of Inverness Area Committee were told two gritters and a full time member of staff were being slashed from the local team this winter, and the same cut would be made next year as part of budget savings approved by the council in December.
They were then asked to approve plans to off gritting a long list of roads, including the city’s Telford Road and Localsh Road and some parts of Croy and Cantray, until later in the day.
But when the list of roads was read out, members were “astonished” and point blank refused to agree to the move.
The sparks began to fy following a presentation by Tracey Urray, Inverness area community services manager.
She told members some roads had to be downgraded in terms of gritting response times due to budget cuts and the reductions to the fleet and staff.
She said: “The priorities have had to change but we are not saying that none of those roads will be gritted, it’s just the treatment times that are affected.”
If the move is accepted, the council would aim to treat Localsh Road and Telford Road by 9am. The current target treatment time is by 8.30am.
An even longer list of roads, including Longman Drive, Carsegate Road, Burn Brae, Wyvis Place, Smithton Park and parts of Croy and Cantray, would only be gritted “as resources and conditions permit”.
Currently, they are treated by 9am.
Council leader Margaret Davidson moved that councillors discuss the matter urgently at their private ward business meetings and liaise with senior officials.
A decision must be made urgently as the winter maintenance plans for each area must be set by October 1.
