Agenda item

To scrutinise the arrangements for gritting and salt bins.

Resolved:

1.         To accept the report, noting the observations made during the discussion.

2.         To support the Highways, Engineering and YGC Department's proposal to send letters to Community and Town Councils to confirm the salt bin arrangements and send a copy to County Councillors.

3.         To recommend to the Highways, Engineering and YGC Department that safe access to school lands in inclement weather should be considered as a part of the gritting routes' review.

The report was presented by the Cabinet Member for Highways, Engineering and YGC, along with the Head of Department of Highways, Engineering and YGC and the Dwyfor Area Engineer.

 

It was noted that it had been three years since the management arrangements for salt bins had been scrutinised, as part of the Winter Support Service. The members were reminded that the winter maintenance period ran from 1 October to 30 April annually, confirming that the services included the gritting of first and second priority routes as well as the provision of salt bins. It was highlighted that there was flexibility with this timetable as it was possible to continue gritting later in the year, and the service's arrangements were reviewed following the winter period to see if there were lessons to be learned and to respond to any challenges that had emerged over the winter.

 

They updated the Members that the Service had adopted a Gritting Vehicle Monitoring System since November 2024 to record the routes. It was explained that this technology was key to ensuring that all roads on the circuits were gritted and for ensuring the safety of the drivers of the gritters as they could be tracked live and the service could see if any vehicle had gotten into difficulties. They emphasised that the workforce was doubled for those periods where snow was forecast because the work was carried out in the dark and in potentially dangerous circumstances. It was reported that positive feedback had been received from staff about this technology and it was hoped that similar technology could be used to support the Council's other areas of work.

 

It was elaborated that the first priority when planning the circuits was given to those routes where the roads were used by school buses. It was added that a number of factors were taken into account when designating roads as first priority for gritting, such as high traffic, providing at least one access to the emergency response centres, emergency admissions, or roads that were class 2 or 3 county roads with approximately one access to towns and villages.

 

It was explained that the Council, as the Highways Authority, was responsible for providing a winter service on all public highways adopted by the County. It was elaborated that the Council also treated the County's trunk roads on behalf of the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency. As well as the part of the A55 managed by UK Highways A55 Ltd.

 

It was reported that all salt bins in the county had now been numbered and that work was underway to ensure that their location was visible on Map Gwynedd on the Council's website, so that residents and Community Councils could report the number and location of a particular salt bin if a problem arose.

 

It was confirmed that the Council received a winter weather forecast provision and advisory services from MetDesk. It was elaborated that this service ran for 24 hours a day from 1 October to 20 April. It was confirmed that this allowed all area offices to act on the latest information and respond to the winter weather in a timely manner through work planning.

 

Data was provided on the number of tonnes of salt being sorted at stores in Caernarfon, Chwilog, Dolgellau, Bala, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandygai. It was noted that the total tonnage available depended on the weather forecast for the season. The budget for winter maintenance was reported to be around 17.5% of the Council's road maintenance budget, and they confirmed that this equated to £1,127,770. The officers pointed out that the cost of winter maintenance could be much higher than the amount committed in the budget if the weather varied from what had been forecast over the winter period, and they noted that officers respond to this as required.

 

A video of the service's work was shared, and they stated that it would be shared with the public on the Council's social media very soon.

 

During the debate, the following observations were made by the Members:-

 

In response to an enquiry whether the Department intended to allow farmers to grit rural roads to save money for the Council, the Head of Department confirmed that this was being considered. He elaborated that discussions had taken place with Ceredigion Council that had a similar arrangement, and their system appeared to be working. However, he emphasised that no such arrangements were currently in place in Gwynedd and that detailed considerations were being made to ensure that it was a safe arrangement and that effective risk assessments were being developed.

 

In response to an enquiry for further information on including salt bins on the Map Gwynedd provision, the Head of Department confirmed that this information was only available internally at present. He explained that the location of each bin was being registered and that the Department was working with the Council's Information Technology officers so that the information appeared on Map Gwynedd on the Council's website. He explained that the hope was that if residents were unable to locate their nearest salt bin, or reported a problem with any bin, they could specify the exact location using the map as they reported the problem. It was acknowledged that there was no timetable for when the information would be available to the public but they wished for it to be ready as soon as possible.

 

The department was congratulated for their work in ensuring that first and second priority routes were gritted on time over the past winter, noting that there had been no need for Members to contact the Department to request this service, as it had already been completed. In response, it was confirmed that this resulted from the fact that smaller gritter trucks were used for second priority routes when temperatures are low for a period of 3 days, ensuring that this was done during the day rather than at night. It was explained that this allowed the other routes to carry on as usual and there was less chance that other roads would be left without being gritted.

 

In response to an enquiry about who had responsibility for salt bins, the Head of Department confirmed that they were the Council's assets. He noted that this meant that the Council was responsible for filling the bins and for the general maintenance. It was highlighted that some of the members had reported that salt bins in their areas had broken and the Head of Department stated that the Council should be contacted to arrange for them to be removed and have a replacement bin. He indicated that salt bins were inspected as part of the routine road inspections programme and were further inspected at the beginning of winter to ensure they were of adequate quality and were full.

 

In response to enquiries about how to get a new salt bin, the Head of Department explained that this would be agreed with the Community Council. It was noted that the winter maintenance service would first look at relocating an existing salt bin rather than adding a new bin. It was reported that the number of salt bins around the county were at their highest and that it was difficult to approve any application for a new or additional bin without support from the Community Councils. He also mentioned that Community Councils were able to make the decision to buy a new salt bin, but he explained that Cyngor Gwynedd held the responsibility for replenishing the salt. He stressed that these applications would be considered on a case-by-case basis taking into account:

 

·       Was the location on a current first priority or second priority gritting route?

·       Would the gritter be able to navigate the road if the need arose?

·       Is there another salt bin nearby – if so, that bin will be used

·       Altitude of the location – elevated or coastal land

·       Is the road steep or uneven?

·       Do water problems exist there?

 

The Members noted that there was uncertainty among community councils about salt bin arrangements. In response, the Head of Department confirmed that the Area Engineers would be writing to all Community Councils explaining the processes ahead of the winter period, and would provide copies of that letter to the Elected Members for information. He elaborated that this letter would specify the cost of ordering a new salt bin, which was in the region of £300-£350.

 

In response to an enquiry on whether car parks and school grounds were gritted to ensure schools remained open during wintry weather, the Dwyfor Area Engineer explained that this was not generally the case in the county at present. However, he clarified that this could be done on the Ysgol Eifionydd site. Other members cited examples relating to schools in their wards. In response, it was noted that these arrangements would be assessed and reviewed to see if a similar arrangement can be reached. It was elaborated that additional work was being carried out as part of the service to ensure that footpaths by schools and hospitals were gritted in a timely manner.

 

The members expressed their thanks for the report.

 

RESOLVED

1.     To accept the report, noting the observations made during the discussion.

2.     To support the Highways, Engineering and YGC Department's proposal to send a letter to Community and Town Councils to confirm salt bin arrangements and to send a copy to County Councillors.

3.     To recommend to the Highways, Engineering and YGC Department that safe access to school grounds in inclement weather should be considered as a part of the review of the gritting routes.