Pulling together this winter
With more than 3,000 tons of grit stored, vehicles and plant primed and our staff ready to roll, we’re geared up to continue to take on what the weather throws at us this winter to keep priority roads and pavements gritted.
Keeping Midlothian moving
Roads crews are completing final checks of the 500 plus filled grit bins across the county as it’s crucial we all play our part in keeping Midlothian moving during severe weather.
Out around the clock
Midlothian Council’s cabinet member with a responsibility for roads, Cllr Dianne Alexander said: “We've already had snow and we're geared up tackle more severe weather throughout winter. When freezing temperatures are forecast, our roads crews are out around the clock trying to keep the 380 kilometres of priority routes clear, such as main roads and routes to hospitals open.
Please help if you can
“With council staff focused on priority routes, we ask residents who can do so to clear pavements and roads outside their home.
Check what roads we grit first
“There’s a list of all priority routes on our website and a full list of council grit bins. If your street is not on the priority routes list, it means the likelihood is our teams will not have time or resource to grit it during any severe weather.
Bins on new developments
“The grit bins are all filled. If your grit bin is not on the list, for example if you live in a newly built estate, it means we don’t own the bin and to contact your factor to get it refilled.“
Go online for helpful advice
Cllr Alexander reminded local people there’s a wealth of information on our website to help in severe weather, including a full list of priority roads, helpful emergency numbers, an online form to get your grit bin filled and advice on emergency kits for your home and car.
Check our pages before calling
Cllr Alexander: “I know the temptation is to give the contact centre a call if you’ve got a question about severe weather.
Severe weather pages
“However, please check the website first if you have access to the internet. All the information you need should be on our severe weather pages.”
If services disrupted
Cllr Alexander said any disruption to services would also be shared on social media, on the council’s Facebook and Twitter pages. It should also be broadcast on the local radio stations such as Black Diamond and Radio Forth.