Winter Service Policy and Procedures 2022-23
North Lanarkshire Council · 24 August 2022
Back to Environment and Place Committee — 24 August 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Environment and Place Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref NP/JA Date 24/08/22 Winter Service Policy and Procedures 2022/23 From Nicole Paterson, Head of Environmental Assets E-mail patersonn@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 01236 632655 Executive Summary This report presents Elected Members with details of the proposed Winter Service Policy and Procedures for 2022/23. The council has an obligation under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to take such steps as it considers reasonable to prevent snow and ice endangering safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles over public roads. This obligation is discharged through the council’s term maintenance contract with our Limited Liability Partners Amey Public Services (APS). To ensure that these obligations are met the council is required to annually review its processes and procedures and approve an annual refresh of its policy. Recommendations It is recommended that the Environment and Place Committee: (1) Considers the contents of this report and accompanying appendix, and (2) Agrees the proposed Winter Service Policy and Procedures 2022/23 as the base for winter service delivery in the coming year. (3) Agrees the pilot scheme that will look at route-based forecasting, which would inform future policy decisions. (4) Agrees that the intervention level is amended in line with adjacent local authorities and implemented as part of the Enterprise Contract which will commence in June 2024. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve North Lanarkshire's resource base Ambition statement (17) Ensure we keep our environment clean, safe, and attractive
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1. Background 1.1 Under Section 34 of the Roads (Scotland) Act, 1984, North Lanarkshire Council has a statutory obligation to take such steps as it considers reasonable to prevent snow and ice endangering the safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles over their public roads which by definition includes carriageways, footways and footpaths. 1.2 This does not mean that all roads and footways must be treated as soon as ice formations or snow accumulations exist. To do so would be impossible and out with the limit of the resources available and the Courts have recognised that it would not be reasonably practical to do so. Nevertheless, to deal efficiently and effectively with Winter Service, operations need to be planned in a systematic manner and it is therefore essential that a policy with clearly defined priorities is established. 1.3 The policy outlines how the winter service will be delivered across the council and how the road network has been prioritised for carriageways, footway, footpaths and cycle routes. The policy also details the levels of service that are to be achieved and procedures around the winter decision making process. 2. Report 2.1 The Winter Service provided by the council takes cognisance of the recommendations in the document Code of Practice ‘’Well-Managed Highway Infrastructure (2018)’’ for Highway Maintenance Management. Winter Service reviews are undertaken annually to determine how the service can be improved with the resources available. A contingency plan has been prepared for extreme weather events. 2.2 Plans indicating the Primary and Secondary roads within each ward will be circulated to Local Members and relevant information placed on the council web site. Copies of the document will also be distributed to those listed in Appendix C of the document. Winter Service Review 2.3 In terms of the weather conditions through the winter period, Autumn 2021 was very mild across the region, with average temperatures 1.5C above the 30-year normal. Precipitation and sunshine averaged near the 30-year normal. Winter 2022 was also quite mild across the region with average temperatures about 1.2C above the 30-year normal. Precipitation and sunshine averaged near the 30-year normal. It is worth noting that February was a wet month with precipitation at 175% of the 30-year average with the areas seeing three storms (Dudley, Eunice and Franklin) over a short period of time. In contrast March was an unusually quiet weather month with mainly dry weather and sunshine with precipitation amounts almost 70% below the 30-year normal. 2.4 Despite the mild nature of the winter the number of treatments undertaken between October and December were consistent with previous years. January to March saw the number of days when treatment was required fall when compared to previous years. The cumulative number of days when treatment was undertaken this year was 96 which is down by 29 from 21/22, 16 from 19/20 and 34 from 17/18, although the same levels as 18/19.
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2.5 Winter Service reviews are undertaken annually to determine how the service can be improved with the resources available. A review of the winter period was undertaken on the 26 May 2022 in conjunction with the council’s partners APS which covered a range of items such as fleet, operations, monitoring of service, resources, health and safety etc. The key points are detailed further below. 2.6 The current partnership with APS operates a multi-functional fleet meaning that vehicles can be used for both traditional road works and winter services. APS continue to renew older fleet as it reaches end of life. During this period APS brought in 2 additional vehicles which increased their resilience. Summer servicing of the tractor fleet had a very positive impact which helped limit mechanical failures. 3 new tractor units were introduced during the winter period and the remainder are scheduled to be replaced prior to the commencement of the winter period. 2.7 During the winter period we experienced a systems failure with the forecasting information which impacted all local authorities. This matter was rectified quickly by the providers and was discussed at the West of Scotland Local Authority weather consortium meeting and assurances given by the provider that measures were in place to avoid a reoccurrence. Technology 2.8 The use of technology and innovation is examined each year to establish what elements can be adopted to improve information provided to the public and for operations. It had been anticipated that real time gritter information would be available on the council website. Unfortunately, the deployment of this continued to be problematic given that the APS fleet are multi-function vehicles and may or may not be involved in winter. In addition, APS changed software provider which led to further delays in the deployment. The system has now been tested and discussion has taken place with Legal services in relation to website content. Real time gritting information will be available on the council website from the start of October 2022. Route Forecasting Trial 2.9 In 2015/16 the Winter Service Policy and Procedures were changed from a whole council treatment to a domain-based treatment. At that time the gritting routes were re- optimised to be contained within one of three weather domains, North, East and West. This exercise enabled the targeting of available resources depending on the forecast conditions. Route based forecasting is the next step in optimisation and efficiency regarding winter maintenance and would support more localised actions based on forecast conditions. 2.10 It is proposed that over the coming winter period that a trial is undertaken with route base forecasting running in tandem with the current domain forecasting. This will enable the number or treatments, salt use, network treated, and network travelled to be compared and the benefits established. It is anticipated that the trial would support future winter policy developments and ascertain how route treatment could have a positive impact on carbon emissions through reduced salt use and network length travelled. Actual treatments will continue based on the domain-based forecasts during winter 2022/23. Intervention Levels 2.11 The intervention level for treatment has been at 1 degree as forecasting accuracy was historically a full degree, and this reduced the risk should temperatures drop suddenly.
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Through the years the level of accuracy provided by forecasters is now to 0.1 degrees. In addition, through the West of Scotland Local Authority weather consortium contract forecast providers monitor conditions 24 hours a day and advise on any changes to the forecast information. 2.12 Given the improved forecasting information and monitoring systems that are in place it is proposed to change the intervention level to 0 degrees which would be consistent with other adjacent local authorities. If approved this change would be a specification change in the new Enterprise Contract and will come into effect for the winter period of 2024/25. Salt bins 2.13 The number of salt bins provided across the network has continued to grow from 760 at the start of the contract in 2010 to 2793 (including 24 within recycling centres) which is considered an unsustainable level that cannot be serviced within an acceptable period during adverse weather conditions. 2.14 As part of the Winter Service Policy and Procures for 2020/21 criteria for the provision of salt bins was introduced. This was based around a decision matrix that considered road features such as gradient, bends, special features like doctor’s surgeries etc. and existing salt bin provision within the area. 2.15 It is proposed that the service undertake an assessment of all salt bins against the criteria contained within Appendix D of the Winter Service Policy approved by the former Environment and Transportation Committee. A rationalisation proposal would then be considered as part of the council’s annual budget processes and implemented during the summer of 2023 if approved. Rationalising the number of salt bins will ensure that salt bins are provided at the most challenging locations, and they can be effectively serviced during periods of adverse weather. 2.16 It is proposed to review the existing salt bins within the HWRC sites to establish if additional or larger bins can be provided which would help support local resilience. Community Salt Stocks 2.17 Community Salt Stocks were established last year at 14 locations over last winter and it is proposed to continue with this level of community resilience and the policy has been amended to reflect this. Risk 2.18 As part of the Winter Service review meeting several risks have been highlighted by APS. These are mainly around COVID, recruitment, parts and spares availability. These are all risks that are being faced by direct council services and these issues are discussed with APS at regular intervals to ensure that adjustments can be made if required. 3. Measures of success 3.1 The road network is generally available for residents, commerce and blue light services to use safely throughout the winter period enhancing the North Lanarkshire as the place to live, learn, work, invest and visit.
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4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix 1 – Winter Service Policy and Procedures 2022/23 Nicole Paterson Head of Environmental Assets
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5. Impacts ( http://connect/report-template-guidance ) 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality-and-fairer- scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The council has a statutory duty to ensure that reasonable steps are taken to ensure the road network is free from ice and snow. The winter service is funded through the Roads budget and the value is set at the average of previous winters minus major events in 2018 and 2010. Any overspend is met by Corporate Finance however a winter contingency fund has also been established. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk
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Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The report contains the annual Winter Service Policy and Procedures which is shared and distributed by the council’s communications team. Procedures are well established between the service and communications. 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? The general winter maintenance poses limited risk given that the council have established policy and procedures in place. The greatest risk arises when a major weather event occurs, that said procedures are in place within all council services to enable the council to react to major events. Major Winter events are contained within the Service Risk Register and an annual review is undertaken to learn lessons and improve procedures. Notwithstanding the weather event there is currently risks relating to COVID, recruitment, parts and spares. These risks are contained with the joint APS/ NLC Risk Register and are discussed at Monthly meetings and action taken where appropriate.
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APPENDIX 1 Contents Page No 1. INTRODUCTION 2 2. POLICY 2.1 Treatment of Roads 3 2.2 Level of Service 5 3. PROCEDURES 3.1 Preparation of Routes 6 3.2 Meteorological Reports 6 3.3 Decision Making Process 7 3.4 Resources 8 3.5 Road Condition Reports 9 3.6 Liaison with Police 9 3.7 Warning Signs 9 3.8 Road Closures 9 3.9 Salt Bins 9 3.10 Community Salt Stocks 10 3.11 Keeping and Retention of Records 10 Appendix 'A' - Plan of Council Areas 11 Appendix 'B' - Office and Contact Details 12 Appendix 'C' - Distribution List 12 Appendix 'D' - Salt bin decision matrix 13
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NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL WINTER SERVICE 1. INTRODUCTION Under Section 34 of the Roads (Scotland) Act, 1984, North Lanarkshire Council has a statutory obligation to take such steps as it considers reasonable to prevent snow and ice endangering the safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles over their public roads which by definition includes carriageways, footways and footpaths. The A725, A8 trunk roads and the M73, M8, M80 and M74 motorways are the direct responsibility of the Scottish Government. It is the aim of North Lanarkshire Council as the local Roads Authority to:- (i) provide a standard of service on public roads which will permit safe movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions; (ii) establish a pattern of working which will keep delays, diversions or road closures to a minimum during adverse weather conditions; (iii) conduct operations having regard to the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974. This winter service policy has been developed taking account of Well Managed Highway Infrastructure A code of Practice (2018)’. This document is supplemented by a Winter Service Operational Plan developed in conjunction with our Partner, Amey Public Services LLP (APS), and is reviewed annually. The provision of the service is supported by the Council’s Customer Services Hub.
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2. POLICY 2.1 TREATMENT OF ROADS North Lanarkshire Council has the following priorities for treatment of carriageways and footways/footpaths that has been formulated on a hierarchical basis: CARRIAGEWAY PRIORITIES Primary Road Network These roads are treated on a Precautionary Salting basis All ‘A’, ‘B’ and some ‘C’ classified roads, main distributor roads; main roads in the vicinity of schools; access roads to hospitals, ambulance depots, main police stations and fire stations, and main bus routes. Other main roads steeper than 1 in 10 gradient (10%) and roads that are of local or national importance for the delivery of essential services. Where severe weather conditions are predicted these roads will be pre- salted and this will normally be carried out before the morning peak. Depending on weather conditions this could also involve an evening pre-salt. Where severe conditions such as snow persist, resources will remain concentrated on these roads. Secondary Road Network These are treated on a Post Salting basis, except as described for schools. Secondary distributor roads; access to isolated villages and rural communities; a main access road to each school; rural through routes not included above; spine roads into residential and industrial areas. Residential areas with road gradients steeper than 1 in 12.5 (8%), where the length of gradient exceeds 100m and where specific difficulties have been identified and where it is practical to do so. Secondary roads will be post treated when road surface temperatures are forecast to stay below zero for a significant period beyond 12 noon, following the precautionary treatment of the primary road network. Where road surface temperatures are forecast to stay below zero for a significant period beyond 12 noon and when resources are available secondary routes will be pre-treated to improve travel to school. Other Roads These are treated on a Post Salting basis. On the satisfactory completion of post salting of the abovementioned roads and if severe weather conditions persist, the remaining road network will be treated on a reactive basis. Treatment will be dependent on resources and changing weather conditions. Depending on weather conditions, treatment of the remaining network may take several days from onset of severe weather as priority will be given to, and concentrated on, the above stated road hierarchy. Post salting will only be undertaken if severe weather conditions are likely to extend for a significant period beyond 12 noon. Post salting operations will normally be undertaken out with the morning peak. During a period of prolonged severe weather conditions forecast to last longer than 7 days, blue light enquiries will be prioritised, and priorities will also take into account funerals, weddings, births and anyone requiring immediate hospital treatment (the council will coordinate this element of operations with NHS Lanarkshire). Reactive squads will
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FOOTWAY, FOOTPATH AND CYCLE ROUTE PRIORITIES Primary Path Network - Treated on a Precautionary Salting basis Urban Shopping areas, precincts and main pedestrian routes remote from carriageways which link major residential /commercial / industrial / educational facilities. Secondary Path Network – Treated on a Post Salting basis. Footways and Footpaths not covered above and Cycle Routes The treatment of primary path network will normally be carried out before the morning peak. The Secondary path network and other paved areas shall only be considered for treatment in times of persistent ice or snow. also prioritise special education needs schools, cemeteries, council sheltered housing and ice on ponds. In some cases, roads may remain untreated until weather conditions ease. Snow Clearing Operations Following the onset of heavy snowfalls the maximum available fleet of ploughing vehicles will be utilised. These operations will continue whilst snow is still falling with resources targeted to keep arterial routes open. After snow has stopped falling but is still lying, routes will be treated in line with salting priorities as resources permit. During prolonged events forecast to last more than 7 days additional resources supplied by Land Management or other resources will be deployed. Patrolling When marginal forecasts predict temperatures approaching but not expected to dip below zero degrees and when forecasters are low in confidence about their predictions, patrolling takes place. This operation is principally to check what the actual road conditions are on the network. A representative sample of the network will be patrolled to identify if a full pre-cautionary salt is necessary.
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Salt Stock Levels In extreme conditions salt stock levels can fall significantly in a very short period. In certain rare and unusual circumstances normal re-stocking of salt has in the past been prevented by external forces out with the control of the Council and its partners APS. If such an occurrence is repeated in the future, to conserve limited salt stocks, the winter service provision will be dedicated to the treatment of the primary networks only. APS have covered storage areas that hold a maximum of 10,000 tonnes of salt. The salt held in stock is monitored on a weekly basis to ensure that the average stock level of 7,500 tonnes is maintained during the high season. This average stock level is reduced to 4,500 tonnes at the end of February. The Council also has a covered strategic salt stock of 10,000 tonnes to enhance corporate resilience for the delivery of all services during periods of prolonged severe winter weather. 2.2 LEVEL OF SERVICE The decision to initiate winter service operations will normally be based upon the forecast received from the council’s weather service provider during the winter period. These forecasts will be provided every day at 0500hrs, 1100hrs and 1700hrs (including weekends and public holidays) to staff providing the winter service. In addition, the weather service provider will contact the Council’s partner, APS if there is any major change in the projected weather conditions. Winter service operations will also be initiated by APS on confirmed reports of adverse weather conditions. As the decision to initiate winter service operations will normally be based on the weather service forecast, it is proposed where possible to treat primary roads out with the hours of peak traffic flows. Therefore, it is intended that the treatment of all primary roads will be completed prior to the morning peak (0730 hrs). Where forecasts indicate adverse conditions in the evening, all reasonable effort will be made to treat primary roads out with the evening peak, but this will not always be practicable. Primary Path Network salting operations will be generally undertaken between the hours of 0500 hrs and 0800 hrs. Following prolonged periods of cold dry weather salting may not be undertaken if it is considered that sufficient residual salt is present. If severe weather is forecast in the evening, treatment of footpaths will be undertaken during daylight hours where there is no residual salt present and heavy precipitation is not forecast. Carriageway treatment will normally be undertaken within the following timescales. Primary Road Network – completed within 3.5 hours of commencement of treatment. Secondary Road Network – completed within 3.5 hours of the completion of Primary roads network, subject to weather conditions and the need to repeat treatment on the primary road network. Other Roads – these are dependent on weather conditions and resource availability and may be measured in timescales of several days from onset of severe weather.
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In recent years several attacks on the winter fleet have been perpetrated by individuals throwing missiles. This has caused damaged to vehicles and had the potential to seriously injure winter service operatives. Where such instances occur, the service will be withdrawn / restricted until a risk assessment considers it is safe to reinstate the normal level of service. 3. PROCEDURES 3.1 PREPARATION OF ROUTES Prior to the commencement of the winter service period, APS will prepare a list of priority routes based on the carriageway, footway, footpath and cycle path priorities shown in section 2. However, to minimise unproductive mileage some roads in a lower category may be treated out of sequence. A full set of priority routes will be kept by the Head of Environmental Assets. APS will have a full set of routes. Any alterations to the carriageway, footway and footpath priorities will be notified in writing to APS who will make the necessary adjustments to the routes. 3.2 METEOROLOGICAL REPORTS Arrangements shall be made by the Head of Environmental Assets, through the West of Scotland Weather Consortium, for the weather forecast to be provided for the North Lanarkshire Area from early October to the middle of May each year. The weather service provider will provide the Council and APS with the forecast each day at 0500hrs, 1100hrs and 1700hrs and any other weather warnings out with these times throughout the winter service period. The Council will ensure that weather service provider is provided with the telephone numbers of the members of staff responsible, on a rota basis, for initiating action out with normal working hours. APS and Council staff have the facility at any time to contact the weather service provider’s duty forecaster to discuss/clarify the forecast. All staff involved in decision making for the delivering of the Winter Service shall be trained in the interpretation and comprehension of climatic, temperature and weather conditions and forecasts.
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3.3 DECISION MAKING PROCESS The topography of North Lanarkshire is such that three distinct geographical areas of potential climatic variation have been identified. The weather forecast provides information for these geographical areas to reflect different climatic conditions. These forecasts will be used by APS to determine and plan the scope of work necessary and to minimise unnecessary treatment and action. The winter service period is split into a High and a Low Period. During the High Period, mid-October to mid-April, APS has resources on standby to react to prevailing weather forecast. During the Low Period, between early October and mid-October and mid-April to mid-May APS may not be on standby and therefore reaction times may be greater. These periods can be altered as required to reflect longer term weather forecast. When the appropriate APS staff member receives weather forecast at 1100 hours they shall make a decision on whether or not action is required. All proposed actions will be acknowledged by the Client standby officer. Further, the Client reserves the right to amend the proposed action if deemed necessary. The Client standby officer will approve all actions. The Council has access to 5no. weather stations to assist the decision-making process. When updates to the forecast are received out with normal working hours the APS staff member on standby shall take appropriate action based on the update. If there is a significant change to the weather forecast and / or proposed actions the appropriate Client staff will be informed. During periods of low temperature, if there is uncertainty about the course of action required by the update, consultation will take place with trained members of staff and /or the duty forecaster from the weather service provider. The provision of an internet Weather Consortium Message Board for posting of decisions taken by North Lanarkshire Council and by adjacent Authorities will allow continuity of service to be monitored and action taken where it is considered appropriate. North Lanarkshire Council actions will be posted together with updates to proposed actions. Decisions taken regarding North Lanarkshire routes will be recorded on the Viasala Manager electronic management system. .
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3.4 RESOURCES (a) Salt Under the Road Street Lighting and Winter Services contract, it is the responsibility of APS to organise the provision of salt to each depot and ensure the levels of salt do not fall below the prescribed minimum levels. At main recycling centres within the Council Area, a single quantity of 20kg or less of sand salt mix will be available for issue free of charge to the public, subject to them supplying a suitable container. (b) Personnel APS will provide a stand-by rota of supervisors and manual operators for the winter service period. Standby will commence in mid-October and continue until the middle of April. However, this period may commence earlier or finish later should conditions warrant. During moderate winter weather it is envisaged that resources of APS will be able to provide the level of service described in section 2.2. In extreme conditions, however, additional labour may be required from other sources, including other services of the Council. (c) Plant During the summer period, all equipment for salting roads and clearing snow will be maintained to ensure it is in working order prior to the start of the winter service period and where appropriate ensure that ancillary items can be fitted to vehicles without difficulty. APS will provide a communications system between the depot and all the winter service fleet. The winter fleet is fitted with data logging and a Geographic Positioning System (GPS). 3.5 Road Condition Reports Each working day throughout the winter service period, a daily report of the operations that have taken place during the previous 24 hours will be available on the electronic manager system. The report shall provide information on routes treated, salt used, time operations started, roads closed, additional resources used and details of any other major problem. The report is available to the Head of Environmental Assets and the Roads Operations Teams, any major incident will be reported immediately to Client staff.
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3.6 Liaison with Police In recognition of the role of the Police during difficult weather conditions, APS shall advise the Police of all adverse forecasts relating to winter operations. APS shall also request appropriate assistance from the Police when moving equipment, arranging road closures, and dealing with abandoned vehicles. Where appropriate, APS shall advise the Police at the Force Control Room of all extreme adverse road conditions, including roads closed or conditions which may lead to roads being closed. The Police may report such matters to the broadcasting authorities. Such communications will be followed up by reports on progress and clearance, particularly when conditions are returning to normal. On request to their Group Traffic Superintendent, the Police have agreed to assist the movement of ploughs and salting vehicles on principal traffic routes. APS shall issue out of hours rotas (including amendments) to the Chief Constable, Divisional Commander's Office and local Police Offices. Reports from the Police regarding dangerous road conditions shall be acted upon by APS designated staff on stand-by as soon as practicable, having regard to priorities in this document and the conditions pertaining throughout the Council's area. 3.7 Warning Signs The Head of Environmental Assets shall at appropriate locations arrange for the erection of signs giving warning of sections of road liable to icing. 3.8 Road Closures Where a road is closed, APS is responsible for ensuring that the Police and Council staff are advised and that appropriate signs are erected. When the road continues into an adjoining Council area that Council shall be kept informed. 3.9 Salt Bins Salt bins may be provided at specific locations and in the vicinity of schools to assist the local community in areas not on priority routes or at known trouble spots including steep gradients and sharp bends. Bins will only be provided at those locations that meet the minimum scoring criteria set out in appendix D and where agreement can be reached with the adjacent property owner/ occupier. It is intended that these salt bins are for the self-use of the public as an enhancement to the service provided by the Council. Records of existing salt bin locations are held by the Head of Environmental Assets and detailed on the Council’s website winter service page.
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3.10 Community Salt Piles Community Salt Piles will be provided at the following locations, establish for the winter of 2021/22. • Coatbridge - Time Capsule Coatbridge • Airdrie – Airdrie leisure Centre • Bellshill – Matt Busby Centre • Motherwell – aquatec • Wishaw – sports centre • Kilsyth – sports centre • Cumbernauld – Broadwood stadium • Shotts – sports centre • Northern Corridor – Ian Nicholson Centre • Salsburgh - Community Centre • Viewpark – Car park at Burnhead CC • Croy – area at hub • Newmains – NCT Centre • Moodiesburn – Pivot Centre 3.11 Keeping and Retention of Records Appropriate records will be kept of the following by APS :- (a) The weather forecasts, including updates. (b) Decisions taken based on the weather forecasts. (c) Decisions taken based on other reports. e.g. police reports. (d) Maximum and minimum air temperatures at each depot. (e) Details and timings of routes salted. APS will be responsible for preparing and retaining the above records for a minimum period of 7 years. Records from the Council weather stations are held by the service provider.
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Appendix A Plan of North Lanarkshire and Weather Domain Areas
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Appendix B - Road and Transportation It should be noted that the service cannot react to individual requests for streets to be treated/ cleared therefore individual requests are no longer logged. All enquiries relating to the filling of and request of new salt bins should be directed to the following New salt bin - Grit bin: request a new grit bin | North Lanarkshire Council Refill a salt bin - Grit bin: request refill | North Lanarkshire Council Website: www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk In the event of an emergency Police Scotland should be the first point of contact. Appendix C - Distribution List Internal :- North Lanarkshire Local Members Chief Executive North Lanarkshire Council Executive Directors Head of Legal and Democratic Solutions External :- Trunk Road Operators Amey Public Services LLP Automobile Association (AA) Chief Executives of Adjacent Councils :- (East Dunbartonshire, South Lanarkshire, City of Glasgow, West Lothian, Falkirk, Stirling ) Community Councils Grid Controller, Scottish Gas Road Haulage Association Royal Automobile Club (RAC) Scottish Ambulance Service Scottish Government Scottish Fire & Rescue Service – Service Delivery Director - West Scottish Fire & Rescue Service – Chief Officer Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (Local Bus Companies distributed via SPT) Police Scotland - Divisional Commanders Scottish Road Partnership Project Ltd
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Appendix D – Salt Bin Decision Matrix Road name and number Would this bin be placed on a public road If not do not proceed with assessment Is there a suitable hardstanding location for a salt bin If not do not proceed with assessment Is there agreement from the adjacent property owner/ occupier If not do not proceed with assessment Characteristic Severity Standards Score Assessed Score Gradient Steep (>1 in 20) Moderate (1 in 20 to 1 in 30) Slight (< 1 in 30) 75 40 0 Bend Sharp (> 90 degrees) Moderate (45 to 90 degrees) Slight < 45 degrees) 35 25 0 Close proximity to and falling towards Heavy trafficked roads Moderately trafficked roads Lightly trafficked roads 90 75 30 On a treated route Primary Secondary Not on treated route -100 15 30 Vertical traffic calming measures Yes No 10 0 Any special features (Hospital, doctors surgery) Yes No 20 0 Salt bin already in area (within walking distance) Within 100m Within 300m Greater than 300m -100 0 20 Total of 40 or above qualifies