South Ayrshire Council is gearing up for the winter weather making sure that gritters and their crews are ready for action and topping up road salt supplies.

In addition to carrying out winter maintenance to the planned gritting routes, specialist Council staff are on standby 24 hours a day during the winter months and will attend wherever they are most needed.  Priority is given to main roads, main bus routes and access roads to Accident and Emergency Hospitals and Fire Stations.  Other roads are treated in order of priority with crews being direct to them as and when resources are available.

Last winter Ayr company J C Peacock Ltd ran a trial in Ayr town centre, de-icing footways with a brine solution instead of the usual rock salt, the company did not charge the Council for this service.  The trial proved very successful as the brine solution was efficient and created less mess on the pavements and also less mess was trailed through retail premises by shoppers.  The Council has decided that the brine solution will be used in Ayr town centre again this year with the Council paying for the service.

Councillor Margaret Toner, Convener of the Council’s Economic and Tourism Development Committee said:  “I would encourage everyone to make sure that they are ready for the winter weather, particularly motorists who should make sure that their vehicle is in good condition and drive at a speed appropriate to the weather conditions.”

“It is crucial that staff from agencies that provide vital services to the people of South Ayrshire can get to and from their work and go about their businesses as usual during the winter months.  Roads will be treated on a priority basis in South Ayrshire, the A77 and A78 trunk roads are the responsibility of the Scottish Government, and Amey Highways will carry out their own winter programme on these roads.”

Any resident in South Ayrshire can obtain small amounts of road salt free of charge from the depots at Meadowhead, Coylton and Grangestone Industrial Estate, Girvan. The depots are open between 10 am and 4 pm Monday to Thursday and 10 am to 3 pm on Friday.  Outside opening hours members of the public can obtain road salt from the bins situated outside the depots.  Anybody who wishes to uplift road salt should taken along a suitable container and make their own transport arrangements.  A number of salt bins have also been placed throughout South Ayrshire and members of the public are invited to take small amounts from the bins should they require it.

All motorists should be prepared for driving in winter weather and plan ahead:

• Listen to weather forecasts.
• Plan all journeys and allow extra travelling time.
• Ensure there is plenty of fuel in the vehicle.
• Check the windscreen washer bottle is full and it contains anti-freeze.
• Check tyre pressure and tyre tread depth.
• Check oil levels
• Wash car lights regularly to remove snow or salt.
• Think about replacing old car batteries.
• Carry spare bulbs.
• Clear all car windows of frost or snow BEFORE driving off.

The following contact details are particularly useful during winter months:

• For further information on winter driving log on to the Council’s website at or contact staff on telephone number 01292 612302.
  
  
• The Scottish Government has appointed Amey Highways Ltd to carry out all trunk road maintenance, including winter maintenance on the A77 and A78 trunk roads in South Ayrshire, their contact numbers is free phone 0800 085 7136.

December 2006