Blairgowrie in the grip of winter

Jan 14 2010

Alyth Burn

THE recent big freeze thawed out partly over the weekend around Blairgowrie and Rattray but more snow is forecast for some areas.

Major work was carried out in the area to clear roads and pathways affected by the current freezing weather conditions, but some side roads and pavements were still treacherous.

Council staff worked around the clock to keep all priority routes free of snow and ice, and non-priority routes were also treated.

Staff moved into residential areas to clear snow and spread grit and salt.

A fleet of gritters along with snow cutters, footway ploughs, excavators, tractor mounted ploughs, tractor and trailers, lorries and pick-up vehicles with hand clearing crews were deployed to ensure that as many pavements and roads as possible were kept clear.

In addition to Council staff, contractors were used wherever possible to help treat routes and paths. Individuals on community service orders were also brought in to help in the clear-up operation.

Snow and ice were removed from footways and carriageways using excavators, lorries and hand squad.

The filling of self-help grit bins will continue, and contractors have been deployed to dig out refuse bins stuck in snow drifts to help speed up refuse collections.

Council Leader Councillor Ian Miller, said, “The let-up in snowfall has allowed us to target non-priority routes, residential areas, Perth city centre and other towns and villages for clearance work.

“Before that, weather conditions dictated that we had to concentrate on keeping priority routes clear, which we managed to carry out successfully.

“We will continue to work around the clock through this spell of adverse weather to ensure that priority routes are kept open, and that Perth and Kinross is kept moving.

“The current level of resources will be maintained, with treatment of priority routes and continued efforts to clear footways and non-priority roads.

“Should further snow showers or drifting occur then gritters may need to be diverted to the priority routes to maintain them.

“We have sufficient supplies of salt and grit at the moment and we are expecting further deliveries. The supply of salt and grit has not been an issue for the Council during this cold spell thanks to good forward planning and management.

“I cannot stress enough that this is the most severe and prolonged spell of winter weather we have had in 30 years, and it has presented a challenge to authorities all over Scotland and the UK.

“I understand the frustrations of residents who live in roads that have not been treated, and would ask everyone for their patience and co-operation as work continues to clear roads and paths, and to tackle the backlog of refuse collections.

“I can assure residents that we will continue to work flat-out to clear as many routes as we can.”

Information on roads, refuse collections and school closures is being kept updated at the Council website - www.pkc.gov.uk.