Don't get caught out by winter chill on Highland roads, council warns motorists
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Highland residents have been urged to "take extra care" as we head into winter.
Highland Council has urged people to allow additional time for journeys and be aware of unexpected dangers during the colder months.
It has also called on motorists and pedestrians to familiarise themselves with the council's gritting routes for primary, secondary and other routes.
Councillor Raymond Bremner said that prolonged spells of cold can also mean that gritting crews have to take longer getting round all the routes, adding: "In some extreme circumstances local teams have to re-prioritise their work. There’s a number of things that we can do to try and help including delaying journeys or to avoid travel. I’d really like to encourage folks to take extra care and avoid or minimise risk where at all possible.”
Related: Highland Council urges everyone to take extra care due to conditions
He added: “I’d also encourage folks to be extra careful even after treatment has taken place as generally the road surface temperature needs to rise a little before there is enough free moisture for the salt to work.”
Chairman of the council’s economy and infrastructure committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: “Our crews are up and out before dawn each day and treating the roads in order of priority, main routes first, secondary routes and so on.
"When the weather is as cold as it was last week, their work is going to take longer to completed. We thank the public for their support and co-operation and advise them that please drive to the conditions. Black ice can a very real danger at any time of the day.”
Details of the gritting routes for Primary, Secondary and Other roads for each geographical area are available on the Council’s website - https://www.highland.gov.uk/readyforwinter.
The head of roads, Tracey Urry added: “We have the longest road network of any council in Scotland and unfortunately it is not possible to treat every road at the same time. That's why we have a priority system to treat the areas in greatest need first. We urge everyone to be extra careful when out and about in these wintry conditions and allow extra time for all journeys."
