Wick community councillors seek update on winter pavement-clearing

Wick: Recently, the community council in Wick has been buzzing about the icy conditions on the pavements. They’ve reached out to Highland Council to get the lowdown on their snow and ice clearing plans.

During a recent meeting, which took place while the temperatures were plummeting, folks pointed out how slippery some footways had become. It was a bit of a concern, to say the least.

They discussed the idea of placing grit bins on pavements for residents to use, which could really help out. The council members agreed it was time to ask for more info on the pavement-gritting schedule.

Highland Council has had a winter maintenance policy since 2018. Their main focus is on busy shopping areas and primary cycle routes. After that, they prioritize footways near schools, hospitals, and other important spots.

If there’s time and resources, they’ll tackle other footways too. The treatment happens on weekdays from 6 am to 6 pm, and on weekends, it’s from 6 am to noon. But don’t expect any service on Christmas or New Year’s Day.

The council is also keen to help communities take charge of their own snow and ice clearing. They provide salt, shovels, and even safety gear for volunteers who sign up through their community council.

If anyone wants to get involved, they can reach out to the local area roads office or check out the Highland Council website for more info.

The winter service runs from October 14 to April 14, and the council has a fleet of gritters and a snowblower ready to go. They spread a whopping 50,000 tonnes of salt each winter, which isn’t cheap.

The council mentions that maintaining the longest local road network in Scotland comes with a hefty price tag, usually around £5 million a year, depending on how wild the weather gets.