Winter Maintenance
The Council is responsible for winter maintenance on adopted roads and footways throughout Clackmannanshire.
We have to prioritise roads and footways so that the most important routes are treated first. Sometimes, long periods of bad weather mean that we have to concentrate on keeping main routes open: this keeps our fleet constantly in use and means we do not treat less-used routes. See our online Footpath Gritting Map and online Road Gritting Priorities Map.
Our forecaster supplies us with a detailed local forecast daily during winter. If the forecast warns of adverse weather conditions, we take action. We also monitor weather conditions 24 hours a day.
Priority 1 roads
The strategic road network including all major bus service routes, main urban traffic routes, principal routes to most schools and routes to emergency service establishments.
- Precautionary salt treatment between 5.30 am and midnight
- Treatment of ice formations between 5.30 am and midnight
- Snow clearing 24 hours a day
It takes 2 hours to treat ice on all Priority 1 roads, so in the morning we start at 5 am and aim to finish by 7.30am. Clearing snow can take longer.
Priority 2 roads
These are the major secondary routes which include urban spine roads into housing and industrial areas; certain rural roads and identified routes including major cul-de-sacs in housing and industrial areas; and certain roads opening up less populated rural areas.
These areas are only treated when the prevailing ice or snow conditions are likely to continue beyond midday. They are only treated once the Priority 1 routes are clear.
Priority 3 roads
The remainder of the road network will only be treated in very exceptional weather conditions. Please make use of grit bins where appropriate.
Footways/pavements
Priority 1 footways
- Immediately outside shops in urban, community or village shopping centres, where there are at least 3 shops.
- Connecting such shopping areas to relatively nearby and identified public buildings.
- Adopted footways in sheltered housing or residential complexes for the elderly.
- One side along Priority 1 roads in built up areas which best serves pedestrian traffic and/or serves the most premises.
- Providing a link to old people's homes or sheltered housing complexes from the nearest treated footway.
- Standing areas at bus stops
- Outside the main access gates to schools.
These will be salted each morning that there is snow or ice unless it's expected to melt before 8 am. We try to clear snow mechanically. Snow at other times of the working day will be cleared before 8.30 am the following morning.
Footways will only be treated 6 days a week (Monday to Saturday) except in Alloa town centre when they will be treated 7 days a week in the run up to Christmas.
Priority 2 and 3 footways
The remainder of the footway network will only be treated in very exceptional weather conditions.
Link footpaths will not be treated where alternative, longer, treated footway routes are available.
Be prepared
Check out the Priority Gritting Route Map in the documents section below. It shows the main priority routes throughout Clackmannanshire.
Always drive according to the conditions: just because a road has a high priority rating does not mean it is safe to drive at normal speeds in poor weather conditions! For more information on winter driving see the tips below.
Grit bins
Grit bins are provided at:
- steep gradients
- sharp bends
- awkward cul-de-sacs
We will refill them as quickly as we can after bad weather, for more information about grit bins, please see our Grit Bin Frequently Asked Questions page. Alternatively, for information on grit bin locations please see our online Grit Bin Map.
Help yourself to help others
Over the years, householders and businesses have cleared footways around their own properties. This type of self-help does make a big contribution in making areas safer for everyone, especially the elderly. It allows us to concentrate on helping people who are unable to help themselves.
You can refer to Directgov's web page about clearing snow and ice from pavements yourselffor useful advice and information.
Winter Driving
Please make sure that if you need to drive in icy or snowy conditions you follow these simple tips:
- Only make the journey if it is essential.
- Allow plenty of time to complete your journey.
- Ensure you have plenty of fuel.
- Before you set out check if there are any warnings in place for your route - see websites such as www.trafficscotland.org
- Make sure your car is cleared of all snow and ice, including the roof of the car, wheel wells and under the bumpers.
- Drive slowly and allow plenty of space between you and the car in front.
- Try to minimise braking and use the gears to slow the car down.
- Be sure to carry a fully charged mobile phone and some emergency supplies, these could include a shovel to dig your car out, a flask with a hot drink, some snacks and a blanket. If you get stuck you may be in your car for many hours until you can be rescued.
- Please remember that in snow and ice even four wheel drive vehicles can and will spin.
- Try to park your vehicles off the road - but not on footways - to ensure there is sufficient width for gritters, buses and refuse lorries to pass. Parked and abandoned cars are one of the biggest problems in keeping the transport network operating during these difficult conditions.
- Remember that even if a road has been cleared of snow or treated with salt, it may still be slippy. Salt has little effect at temperatures of -5°C or below, so please drive slowly and carefully.
Public Transport
Due to the adverse weather many bus routes and trains are subject to delays, cancellation or rerouting. We are trying to provide as much up to date information on the services operating in Clackmannanshire as possible. For more information please check our public transport page.
Publications & Documents
External Links
Page & Site Tools
Contact information
For further information about this page please contact:
Roads, Traffic & Transportation
Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB
Tel: 01259 450000
Email: roads@clacks.gov.uk
Or use the on-line contact form
