Every three years East Riding of Yorkshire Council appraises its winter maintenance procedures.
After the worst winter for 30 years the latest detailed review of how the East Riding deals with freezing temperatures is set to come before the council’s cabinet.
Councillor Stephen Parnaby, OBE, leader of the council, said: “We have recently been through two of the worst winters for many years. The investment in the latest equipment, salting techniques, weather data and tracking systems as well as the massive efforts of front line staff managed to keep strategic routes open and manage supplies of salt throughout difficult and challenging circumstances.
“I particularly welcome the suggested improvements to our winter maintenance plan which will provide better management of salt supplies in the future and the expansion of the treated networks which will make all the difference to the residents who use those roads, footpaths, car parks, transport interchanges and salt bins.
“Of course the council cannot control the nature and severity of the weather. Due to Britain’s unique and unpredictable climate – unlike our neighbours in much of northern Europe – we cannot rely on having the same harsh conditions year on year. This means that we have to balance the investment on resources which would lie unused during the majority of Britain’s mild winters.”
The report sets out how the council’s winter maintenance team has performed over a succession of harsh winters which have required more regular road treatments and the careful management of salt supplies to ensure the service was not interrupted.
Recommendations in the report include giving consideration to the creation of a strategic salt reserve to prepare for the potential of a return to extreme prolonged winter weather in the future.
The report suggests adding additional routes to the precautionary and secondary networks, treatment of further footpaths, many car parks and transport interchanges such as Brough and Cottingham railway stations and bus stations in Beverley and Withernsea.
A revision to the assessment process which decides where salt bins will be placed will also be considered. This will assist with local communities being able to help themselves and help to improve joint working with town and parish councils.
Pictures of Beverley : Worst winter conditions for over 30 years
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