Red Bank won’t be gritted for ‘standard frost and ice’ this winter

Powys County Council has unveiled its new gritting routes, and it shows that Red Bank has only made the secondary list which means it may not be treated for standard frost and ice.

The council has tested its new routes through the summer, and its responsible Cabinet Member says that its more than 90 winter service drivers can deliver a service that is “fair, consistent and focused on keeping people, communities and essential services moving safely during frost, ice and snow”.

But as the image shows, Red Bank is on the pink community treatment routes not normally treated for standard frost and ice, but may be activated during significant, prolonged or severe weather.

The main roads around the town are blue precautionary treatment routes which are roads that may be treated before frost, ice or snow develops, based on weather forecasts.

The guidance says these routes are intended to keep the most important parts of the highway network operational during winter weather and include the county's busiest strategic and distributor roads, together with access routes serving emergency services, hospitals, GP surgeries, schools, colleges, towns and critical infrastructure.

But Welshpool County Councillor, Graham Breeze, who lives in the Red Bank area, is not impressed and said: "Powys County Council is reducing the road areas that are gritted during winter conditions. As an Independent Councillor I opposed cuts to the Llanerchydol Ward but my words fell on deaf ears. Details of whether or not your area will be treated are included on the council web site (link below). It's a clue if new salt bins have been appearing on your street."

The council’s salt bin locations have also been revised and it appears there will be a greater expectation on members of the public to salt their own roads and pathways.

The council said that the routes have been reviewed through a “consistent, transparent and evidence-led approach, taking into account traffic volumes, public transport links, access to key services, schools, medical centres, emergency service locations and wider community needs”.

Councillor Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, said: “Our priority is to provide a winter service that is fair, consistent and focused on keeping people, communities and essential services moving safely during frost, ice and snow.

“The review has allowed us to reassess the network using current national guidance, local engagement and operational testing. The revised routes prioritise roads used by the greatest number of people, access to key services and connections between communities.

“Not every road can be routinely treated, and a gritted road is not guaranteed to be ice-free. Winter driving can be more hazardous, so residents are advised to check weather conditions and the latest gritting information online before travelling, and to always drive according to the road conditions.”

The wider winter service also includes treatment of key pedestrian locations, salt-bin provision and replenishment, and emergency response during severe weather.

Cllr Charlton added: “The revised approach supports a Stronger, Fairer, Greener Powys by providing a consistent county-wide approach to winter maintenance, strengthening local resilience and helping communities prepare for severe weather.”

Residents are encouraged to plan ahead during winter weather, allow extra time for journeys, take extra care on untreated roads and never assume a road has been gritted or is free from ice.

When ice or snow is forecast, information is published online about which routes are due to be gritted on the council’s website: Winter gritting - Powys County Council.