Residents across the Stirling area are being urged to take care when travelling in adverse weather conditions as the council and local communities prepare for most challenging months of the year.
Stirling Council’s road service has officially moved into its programme of winter delivery, which will continue until 18 April 2025.
The council is responsible for maintaining more than 1000km of local roads and over 600km of footways, footpaths and cycleways.
Gritting for trunk roads in the Stirling Council area – the A82, A84, A85 and A9 – and all motorway networks is the responsibility of Transport Scotland.
To keep road users and pedestrians safe, 7,000 tonnes of salt is stocked each year to help to respond to any critical conditions – in total, 3,827 tonnes were used on roads and footpaths in the Stirling area last winter.
The council also provides 506 grit bins across the Stirling area, which will be replenished during the winter period, with crews also on hand to treat priority pathways with mini-tractors.
This winter, priority will be given by the council to treating roads, footways and cycle paths on main routes to key locations including schools, hospitals, railway stations, shops and health clinics.
The authority says the new, risk based approach ensures maximum efficiency in the provision of the council’s Winter Service Plan.
Residents are also being supported through the Community Winter Volunteers programme. Many residents generously offer their spare time on behalf of neighbours to clear snow or spread salt along footways and paths in their streets and housing estates.
Stirling Council said it is keen to support their efforts on behalf of their communities with training and the supply of equipment such as high-vis waistcoats, gloves, hats, snow shovels and grit spreaders.
Convener of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee, Cllr Jen Preston, said: “Our gritters are prepared, our salt supplies have been restocked, and we’ll be refilling salt bins as often as possible for residents’ use. Together with our communities, we’re committed to keeping roads and pathways clear and accessible.
“We understand how challenging winter weather can be. Our dedicated Roads team is working hard to ensure travel throughout the Stirling area remains as safe as possible.
“This season always brings challenges, and we urge residents to drive with caution, particularly early in the morning. Even if we grit the roads in the very early hours, roads can still remain slippery until traffic passes over the salt.
“We all share responsibility for safety, so we encourage residents to plan ahead and follow guidance from key agencies such as the Met Office, SEPA, Police Scotland and Transport Scotland. Updates, including any impact on Council services, will be posted on Stirling Council’s social media channels.”