Councillors have backed a new footpath gritting policy which will prioritise Aberdeenshire’s busiest towns and draft-in a force of volunteer snow wardens.
The north-east authority’s winter maintenance strategy was finalised yesterday and is aimed at improving how pavements are cleared on frosty days.
In a presentation to the infrastructure committee, roads chief Philip McKay said the council’s priority during bad weather was always safety.
“One of the main concerns last year was maintenance of footways and how we can strengthen that,” Mr McKay said.
Under the policy – which was unanimously backed by councillors – a new four-tier priority system decides the order in which areas are gritted.
A total of 10,000 yards of path in settlements including Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Inverurie and Stonehaven will now be treated from 6am.
They were previously treated at 8am.
A further 55 miles of footways across Aberdeenshire will be treated from 8am onwards.
Mr McKay added: “This doesn’t affect at all our response to snow events. There is no change to snow events.
“This is on marginal mornings when we have periods of frost.”
Under the new policy the council is also preparing to work with volunteer snow wardens in communities in the area.
The roads chief added: “Something new for Aberdeenshire, although tried elsewhere, is snow wardens.
“It’s about offering advice, guidance and training and to crack some of the gnarly issues around insurance and liability.”
The wardens are likely to be deployed in housing estates which are low priority for the council but have busy local footfall.
Committee chairman David Aitchison thanked the roads department for the new strategy.
He said: “This allows us to improve our use of limited resources.
“Concerns were raised last year about the 8am starting times. This has allowed us to change that.
“It’s important that we continue to review this constantly.”
Opposition councillor Peter Argyle said: “If we had an unlimited budget we wouldn’t be sitting here but the service is making the best use of resources.”
And Councillor Ian Mollison added: “I hope we as a council will be generous with grit bins to help people help themselves.”