Aberdeen council bosses are “confident” the city’s roads will be kept clear in even the harshest of winters, a committee was told yesterday.
The local authority has set aside more than £1.5 million in preparation for chillier weather and stockpiled 9,441 tonnes of salt – which will be topped up regularly.
But a report to the operations committee raised alarm bells with the opposition as it highlighted a “high” risk allocated budget “will only cover costs of a mild winter” and warns extra funds may be needed in the event of high snowfall.
Some forecasters have predicted a harsh winter ahead – even raising the spectre of a return to conditions like last year’s Beast from the East.
Under questioning, officers said that they were “confident” they were as prepared and that further money would be available if required.
Last year, brine and de-icing chemicals were trialled as a precautionary treatment at locations on the city centre and on cycleways and had proved successful.
However members heard that the authority only had limited amounts of machinery that could spread brine.
Gritters will also be fitted with tracking devices to allow residents to view their progress online.
