Sutherland Councillors Approve Winter Services Plan for 2025/26

Local councillors have approved the winter services plan for Sutherland for the 2025/26 season. The Sutherland County Committee reached this decision during their recent meeting held at the authority’s headquarters in Drummuie, Golspie. The plan outlines priority roads and gritting routes essential for maintaining safe travel throughout the region during winter months.

Councillor Richard Gale, chairman of the Sutherland County Committee, emphasized the importance of preparation. “We have a large road network in Sutherland, and our officers work extremely hard in often challenging situations to keep the county’s roads as safe as possible,” he stated.

The winter services plan covers approximately 1,336 kilometres of road managed from various depots including Strathy, Tongue, Durness, Kinlochbervie, Lochinver, Lairg, Ardgay, Dornoch, Brora, and Helmsdale. The plan prioritizes the treatment of roads, starting with primary routes, followed by secondary and other routes as resources allow.

According to the plan, there are a total of 534 km designated as primary routes, 248 km as secondary routes, and 554 km of other routes. Each year, the council uses an average of 9,000 tonnes of salt to ensure road safety during winter conditions. The winter gritting season is set to commence on October 14, 2025, and preparations are underway to ensure that sufficient supplies are in stock across all depots.

The council also provides information about its gritting routes and winter policies on its website. Communities can apply through the Winter Resilience Scheme, which offers equipment like salt bins, shovels, and high-visibility clothing, along with public liability insurance and safety advice. Cllr Gale highlighted the importance of community involvement, stating, “We are keen to encourage communities to ‘self-help’ as much as possible. This does not replace council services but enhances winter maintenance in our area.”

He urged residents to be mindful of vulnerable individuals in their communities, especially during extreme weather conditions. “My advice is not to wait until it snows to ask for support in your community. Now is the time to apply through your community council for help,” he added.

The council has also updated its policy on requests for grit bins, clarifying the process for communities to request bins for their areas or streets.

As winter approaches, guidance for the public on preparing for emergencies and extreme weather is readily available at www.ready.scot. The proactive measures outlined in the winter services plan aim to enhance safety and accessibility throughout Sutherland during challenging weather conditions.