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15. Roads Winter Service and Weather Emergencies Plan

North Ayrshire Council · 28 October 2025
Back to Cabinet — 28 October 2025 and its agenda

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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL  
28 October 2025 
Cabinet
Title:  Roads Winter Service and Weather Emergencies Plan
2025/26 
Purpose: To seek Cabinet approval of the Roads Winter Service and
Weather Emergencies Plan 2025/26. 
Recommendation: That Cabinet (a) approves the Roads Winter Service and
Weather Emergencies Plan 2025/26; and (b) notes the
preparations and actions taken which are contained in the
Winter Preparation Action Plan. 
1. Executive Summary 
1.1 North Ayrshire Council has a statutory obligation, under Section 34 of the Roads
(Scotland) Act 1984, to take such steps as it considers reasonable to prevent snow and
ice endangering the safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles over public roads which
by definition includes carriageways, footways, footpaths, pedestrian precincts, etc. 
1.2 The Council is also responsible for the management and operation of the coastal flood
protection controls at Largs and Saltcoats. The Council will close the flood gates on the
promenades and erect the flood barriers at Largs Pier in advance of predicted severe
weather with minimum disruption to promenade users and the Largs to Cumbrae ferry.
Coastal flooding can occur at any time and, accordingly, the Council provides this
service throughout the year. 
1.3 A review of the Council's Winter & Weather Emergencies Service was undertaken over
the summer months. The 2025/26 Winter Preparation Action Plan has been developed
to ensure adequate preparations and effective arrangements are in place for 2025/26.
The Winter Preparation Action Plan is included at Appendix 1. 
1.4  The Roads Winter Service and Weather Emergencies Plan 2025/26 is contained at
Appendix 2. 
2. Background 
2.1 In its statutory role as the local Roads Authority, the aim of North Ayrshire Council in
respect of its winter service and weather emergencies is to: 
•  provide a standard of service on public roads which will permit safe movement of
vehicular and pedestrian traffic appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.
•  establish a pattern of working which will keep delays, diversions, or road closures
to a minimum during adverse weather conditions.
•  conduct operations having regard to the requirements of the Health & Safety at
Work Act 1974 and any other relevant enactments.

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2.2  Separately, the Trunk Road Network is the responsibility of Transport Scotland and
their management contractor, Amey. The Trunk Road network includes the A78, the
A737 from Kilwinning to the Renfrewshire Boundary and A738 from the Pennyburn
Roundabout to the A737 Dalry Road, Kilwinning. 
2.3  All winter gritting and snow clearing operations on the Trunk Road Network are the
responsibility of Amey. The Council’s Roads Team do however liaise on a regular basis
with the trunk road operator during periods of adverse weather, to provide the best
possible seamless service to the travelling public. 
2.4  The Council’s current updated Winter Preparation Action Plan 2025/26 highlights a few
key areas where preparation arrangements are being reviewed and refreshed: 
•  Salt supply resilience, storage and capacity
•  Resilience arrangements
•  Grit bins/community resilience 
2.5 Whilst the Council's primary focus is on our Priority Network, our communities have an
expectation of wider assistance during extreme weather, for example in and around
schools, in residential streets, car parking areas etc. There are approximately 560 grit
bins provided on the road network. Salt is also available from a number of supply points
throughout the Council area. Details of planned winter treatments are posted on the
Council’s website. In addition, details of disruption to the road network caused by
adverse weather are also posted on the website. In periods of severe weather Elected
Members are also provided with regular service updates. 
2.6 Road hazard weather forecasting is provided through a collaborative contract led by
South Lanarkshire Council.  Weather Forecast provider, MetDesk Limited, is appointed
as the weather forecast provider. During the winter period MetDesk Limited will provide
the weather forecasting service and monitor road and weather conditions. 
2.7 The Council’s gritting routes have been developed from thermal mapping of the road
network. Thermal mapping is a process by which the variation of minimum night-time
road surface temperature is measured, and this provides the temperature relationship
across the whole network, identifying those sections of the road which are likely to
freeze first. Thermal Mapping identifies colder roads and enables selective targeting of
those areas in need of treatment. Our gritting routes are unchanged for this winter,
details of each Priority route are provided on the Council’s web pages at:
http://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/winter-gritting.aspx   
2.8  Priority 1 routes will be treated on receipt of an adverse weather forecast as detailed in
the decision-making matrix contained in Appendix C of the Winter Service and Weather
Emergencies Plan 2025/26. 
2.9  Priority 2 routes will be treated in addition to Priority 1 routes when sub-zero
temperatures are forecast to extend beyond midday and will be treated following
completion of Priority 1 routes. Generally, the treatment of Priority 2 routes will
commence at 8.00am however appropriate treatment may be instructed at any time
depending on conditions. 
2.10  Priority 3 routes will generally only be treated following severe weather or when sub-
zero conditions are forecast to continue over an extended period. They will be treated
as resources permit only after all Priority 1 and Priority 2 routes are clear unless
identified as an emergency.

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2.11 Operational resources from Neighbourhood Services (Roads and Streetscene) will be
provided for the Winter and Weather Emergencies Service. The stand-by period for
carriageway treatments will be 23 October 2025 until 9 April 2026. This period may be
extended beyond the given dates if required. These arrangements include home stand-
by which is activated by the designated Winter Supervisor when instructed by the
Winter Controller or as the result of hazardous road conditions being reported.
Arrangements have also been made with Streetscene to assist with the treatment of
priority footways over the winter season and stand-by arrangements are also in place
with Streetscene to treat footways, when necessary, at weekends from 22 November
2025 through to 8 February 2026 and over the festive holiday period. Generally, the
treatment of footways will commence at 8.00am. 
2.12  Last winter season, which was generally a mild winter, the Service used 4,985 tonnes
of salt, this was slightly less than the previous year when we used 5,848 tonnes of salt
treating the road network. However in winter 2020/21, which was a colder winter, the
Service used 8,153 tonnes of salt during the winter. This year a total of 6,000 tonnes of
salt will be stored at our Goldcraigs Depot and 2,400 tonnes at our Market Road Depot
on Arran. In addition, salt will be distributed to Streetscene Depots to assist with the
treatment of footways. Salt usage will be monitored weekly, and stocks will be
augmented if necessary. 
2.13  The role of communities to provide their own resilience is recognised and grit bins will
be replenished to allow communities to self-help during periods of adverse weather
within available resources over the winter period. 
2.14  Similar to last winter, winter treatment decisions and any road closures due to adverse
weather will be provided on the Council’s website. 
2.15  A pre-winter planning meeting was held on 3 October 2025 with Managers from across
Council Services. This meeting was held to ensure Services are taking the necessary
steps to prepare for the severities of winter weather. 
2.16  A planning exercise known as the ‘dry run’ was carried out on 10 October 2025 to
check our readiness for the forthcoming winter season. 
2.17  The weather stations on the A760 at Catburn, between Largs and Kilbirnie, and on the
B880 String Road, Arran have been serviced and calibrated and will assist Winter
Controllers and Supervisors in monitoring weather conditions. Cameras are fitted on
the weather stations and images from the these are available to members of the public
through the Council’s website. 
2.18 Each year, a Winter Preparation Action Plan is created to ensure adequate and
appropriate arrangements are being put in place for the forthcoming winter. The
2025/26 Action Plan detailed at Appendix 1 confirms all planned actions are either
complete or are on target. 
2.19 In critical situations should our operational resources be impacted; a reduced priority
network has been developed to ensure that essential transport links can continue to be
treated during adverse weather conditions.  This minimum resilience network will assist
in maintaining network access for vital services in extreme circumstances. 
3. Proposals 
3.1  Cabinet is asked to approve the Roads Winter Service and Weather Emergencies Plan
2025/26 and note the preparations undertaken as detailed in the attached 2025/26
Winter Preparation Action Plan.

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4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty
Financial
4.1 A budget of £0.714 m has been allocated for the delivery of the Roads Winter Service
and Weather Emergencies Plan 2025/26. 
Human Resources 
4.2 The Winter Service and Weather Emergencies Plan will be delivered within existing
resources. 
Legal 
4.3 The Council has a statutory obligation under Section 34 of the Roads (Scotland) Act
1984 "to take such steps as they consider reasonable to prevent snow and ice
endangering the safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles over public roads". 
Equality/Socio-economic 
4.4 The delivery of the Winter Service maintains accessibility to our towns and
communities and supports social and economic activity. 
Climate Change and Carbon 
4.5 This report provides details of operational arrangements in place for responding to
Climate and related weather emergency incidents. There are no carbon issues arising
directly as a result of this report. 
Key Priorities 
4.6 Delivery of the winter service supports the Council Plan priority of keeping North
Ayrshire residents safe. 
Community Wealth Building 
4.7 Delivery of the Winter and Weather Emergencies Service supports Community
Wealth Building by maintaining a resilient road network enabling access to
employment and movement of goods and services. 
Islands Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA)  
4.8 None 
United Nations Rights of the Child (UNCRC)  
4.9 None  
Consumer Duty  
4.10 None 
5. Consultation

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5.1 Consultation regarding preparations for the forthcoming winter season and the
development of the Winter Action Plan was undertaken with The Ayrshire Civil
Contingencies Team, Transport, Streetscene, Waste Services, Communications,
Customer Services, North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, Education,
Housing, suppliers, and external organisations. 
RUSSELL McCUTCHEON
Executive Director (Place) 
For further information please contact Thomas Reaney, Head of Neighbourhood Services
on 01294 324570. 
Background Papers
Appendix 1 – Winter Preparation Action Plan 2025-26
Appendix 2 – Winter Service 2025-26

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Appendix 1 
NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES - 2024/25 WINTER PREPARATION ACTION PLAN 
Service Improvement
Action
Existing Operation Proposed Action Timescale Progress
1.0 Policies, Procedures
& Guidance    
1.1 Review Existing Policy
and Procedures
document
Winter and Weather Emergencies
Procedures and Resources Document
reviewed on annual basis. 
Review annually after each Winter
Period.
September
2025
Complete      
2.0 Review of Existing
Winter Maintenance
Operations    
2.1 Existing Priority Gritting
Routes
Priority 1 routes cover 44% of the
network, Priority 2 routes cover 21% of
the network.   
No changes proposed, review
annually.
September
2025  Complete
2.2  Non-Priority Routes Priority 3 routes are treated following
an extended cold spell or following
severe weather. 
No changes.  September
2025 
Complete 
2.3 Footway Gritting Formal arrangement with Streetscene
for assisting with reactive delivery of
the winter service. 
Review annually.  September
2025
Complete
2.4  Assistance from outside
parties
Formal arrangement in place with local
contractors to assist in the event of
extreme weather conditions. 
Review annually.  Arrangements
in place for assistance from
mainland contractors. Contractor
may be required to provide
Gritting on Cumbrae for this
winter. 
September
2025
Ongoing
Service Improvement
Action
Existing Operation Proposed Action Timescale Progress
2.5 Gritting of other Council
locations
Education and Housing have
arrangements in place with
Review arrangements annually.  September
2025
Complete

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Streetscene and Community Justice
for assistance with snow clearing and
gritting. 
2.6 Network Resilience Resilience network developed should
drivers be depleted in extreme
situations (eg. The Pandemic)  
Mutual aid arrangements established
with neighbouring authorities Trunk
Road Operator. 
Review annually  September
2025
Complete      
3.0 Winter Gritting Fleet    
3.1 Winter Gritting Fleet The gritting fleet comprise 13 No. 18
tonne Econ Uni-Bodies and 1 No 7.5
Tonne Econ Uni-Bodies and 1 Trailer
Gritter. 
Vehicles to be serviced and gritter
units to be calibrated.   
October
2025
Complete      
4.0 Operational Controls    
4.1 Weather forecast
provision
The Council’s weather forecast service
is currently procured by means of a
collaborative contract with 12 other
Local Authorities in the South West of
Scotland. 
A contract is in place for this winter
with MetDesk Limited, Contract
was awarded for 4 years + 2-year
extension option, this contract
commenced in May 2023. 
September
2025
Complete
4.2 Ice Prediction methods North Ayrshire Council has two
weather stations installed on the road
network and has access to a further
two weather stations in the Council
area, provided by Transport Scotland,
on the trunk road network. We also
have access to a number of additional
weather stations on our neighbouring
authorities’ road network.
Stations to be serviced and
calibrated for start of winter
season. 
September
2025  Complete

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Service Improvement
Action
Existing Operation Proposed Action Timescale Progress
4.3 Winter Gritting Records Records of winter instructions and
operations recorded on Vaisala
Manager - Winter Roads Management
System. Record footway treatments
undertaken.
Continue to record roads winter
actions on Vaisala Manager -
Winter Roads Management
System. 
September
2025  Complete
4.4 Business Continuity The provision of Winter and Weather
Emergencies Procedures and
Resources document is included within
the Business Continuity Plan. 
Review Business Continuity Plan. Review
Annually  Complete     
5.0 Salt    
5.1 Salt Storage Ensure salt stock complies with
Scottish Government resilience levels
prior to the onset of the winter season. 
3000 Tonnes of salt to be stored
at Goldcraigs Depot and 2400
tonnes to be stored on Arran for
start of winter season. 
Following the rebuild of the salt
dome, an additional 3000 Tonnes
is on order.
Review
Annually  Complete
5.2 Salt Distribution Procedure implemented for salt
distribution throughout Council
Services in place at Depot.
Review and ensure all staff are
aware of procedures annually.
Review
Annually  Complete      
6.0 Communication    
6.1 Information available to
Members, Council
Services, general public
and other stakeholders
Weather forecasts and winter
decisions distributed across Services. 
Roads winter gritting decision posted
on Council Website. 
Details of any road closures due to
adverse weather posted on Website. 
Issue information to Locality
Planning Partnerships. 
Continue to provide information
on the Council website. 
Monitor effectiveness of
information provided on the
Council website. 
Promote Roads Winter Service
during Customer Services Week
Oct/Nov
2025 
Review
Annually 
Review
Annually 
On target 
Complete 
On target 
On target

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and Are You Ready for Winter
campaign. 
Oct/Nov
2025 
7.0 Measuring
Performance    
7.1 Monitor performance of
winter actions
Performance is currently measured
using APSE Performance indicators
which measure efficiency in relation to
documented procedures. 
Review annually. October
2025
On target
7.2 Monitor performance on
individual routes
Gritting routes optimised following
thermal mapping exercise undertaken
during winter season 2018/19.
No changes proposed, review
annually.
September
2025
Complete            
8.0 Training    
8.1 Winter Service Training Staff trained in delivery of winter
service. 
Identify training needs of
personnel involved with the
provision of the winter
maintenance service.  Arrange
appropriate training. 
Review
Annually 
Complete 
8.2 Severe Weather
Exercise
Ayrshire Local Resilience Partnership
arrange Severe Weather tabletop
exercises periodically.
Appropriate attendance at ALRP
exercises as arranged.
As arranged. Complete      
9.0 Health & Safety    
9.1 Toolbox Talks Toolbox talks are delivered to all
personnel engaged in the delivery of
the winter maintenance service.
Review annually and provide
toolbox talk at the start of each
winter.
Annually Complete

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APPENDIX 2 
Neighbourhood Services
Roads Winter Service
and
Weather Emergencies Plan
2025 to 2026
Cunninghame House
Irvine
Ayrshire KA12 8EE
Phone: 01294 310000

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Contents 
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................... 3
2. Priorities For Winter Treatment ................................................................................. 4
2.1.1 Carriageway Priorities ........................................................................................ 4
2.1.2 Carriageway Routes for Proactive Treatment .................................................... 4
2.1.3 Carriageway Routes for Reactive Treatment ..................................................... 4
2.1.4 Carriageway Routes for Snow Clearance .......................................................... 5
2.1.5 Cumbrae ............................................................................................................ 5
2.2 Footway/Footpath Priorities ............................................................................... 5
2.3 Cycle Routes ...................................................................................................... 6
2.4 Response and Treatment Times ........................................................................ 6
3. Organisation .............................................................................................................. 6
4.1 General .............................................................................................................. 7
4.2 Labour ................................................................................................................ 7
4.3 Vehicle Plant and Equipment ............................................................................. 7
4.4 Salt ..................................................................................................................... 8
5. Other Resources ....................................................................................................... 8
6. Weather Forecasting ................................................................................................. 8
7.      Decision Making ....................................................................................................... 9
8. Ice Prediction .......................................................................................................... 10
9. Road Condition Reports .......................................................................................... 10
10. Communications .................................................................................................. 10
11. Road Closures ..................................................................................................... 11
12. Liaison With Police Scotland ............................................................................... 11
13. Ayrshire Local Resilience Partnership (ALRP) Disruptive Weather Response
Arrangements ................................................................................................................. 12

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14. Cross Boundary Arrangements ........................................................................... 12
15. Vehicle Routes .................................................................................................... 12
16. Precautionary Salting .......................................................................................... 13
17. Grit Bins ............................................................................................................... 14
18. Largs And Saltcoats Flood Protection Schemes .................................................. 14
19. Sandbag Procedures ........................................................................................... 14
20. Resilience Arrangements .................................................................................... 15
Appendix A - Level of Service ......................................................................................... 16
Appendix B - Decision Making ........................................................................................ 17
Winter Treatment Spread Rate Matrix ............................................................................ 18
Recommended Spread Rates – Dry Salting (g/m2)......................................................... 18
Appendix C - Summary of Available Labour & Plant ....................................................... 20
Appendix D - Community Grit Bins ................................................................................. 21
Appendix E - Summary of Available Materials ................................................................ 22
Appendix F - Salt Resilience Plan (Mainland) ................................................................. 23
Appendix G - Contact Address & Telephone Numbers ................................................... 25
Appendix H - Distribution List .......................................................................................... 26
Appendix I - Bridges with Weight or Height Restrictions ................................................. 27
Appendix J - Arrangements with other Authorities .......................................................... 29
Appendix K - Grit Bin Policy & Procedure ....................................................................... 30
Winter gritting (north-ayrshire.gov.uk) .......................................................................... 30

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1. Introduction
North Ayrshire Council has a statutory obligation, under Section 34 of the Roads
(Scotland) Act 1984, to take such steps as it considers reasonable to prevent snow and ice
endangering the safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles over public roads which
includes carriageways, footways, footpaths, pedestrian precincts. 
In its statutory role as the local Roads Authority, the aim of North Ayrshire Council in
respect of its winter service and weather emergencies is to: -
1. provide a standard of service on public roads which will permit safe movement of
vehicular and pedestrian traffic appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.
2. establish a pattern of working which will keep delays, diversions, or road closures to
a minimum during adverse weather conditions.
3. conduct operations having regard to the requirements of the Health & Safety at
Work Act 1974 and any other relevant enactments.
This Plan only relates to the Council’s duties as Roads Authority and does not cover the
wider response of the Council during winter and other weather emergencies.
North Ayrshire Council has no responsibility for the treatment of trunk roads. From 01 April
2001, the contract for management and maintenance of the trunk roads in Scotland has
been awarded by the Scottish Government to the private sector. The successful contractor
for the South West of Scotland is Amey and the roads involved in North Ayrshire are as
follows: -
A78 full length from Meadowhead roundabout, Dundonald to Inverclyde boundary
at Skelmorlie.
A737 Dalry Road, Kilwinning to Renfrewshire boundary.
A738 Pennyburn roundabout to A737 Dalry Road, Kilwinning
All winter gritting and snow clearing operations on these roads will be the responsibility of
Amey. North Ayrshire Council’s Neighbourhood Services (Roads) and Amey liaise on a
regular basis during periods of adverse weather to provide the best possible service to the
travelling public.
North Ayrshire Council is also responsible for the management and operation of the
coastal flood protection controls at Largs and Saltcoats. The Council will close the flood
gates on the promenade and erect the flood barriers at Largs Pier in advance of predicted
severe weather with minimum disruption to promenade users and the Largs to Cumbrae
ferry. Coastal flooding can occur at any time and, accordingly, the Council will provide this
service throughout the year.
In the event of extreme weather similar to that which was experienced on Arran late March
2013, where major disruption affected large parts of the community, a coordinated
response is adopted by the Council to ensure public safety. In dealing with such
emergencies, Police Scotland initially lead the emergency or response stage of the
emergency. Thereafter, the Council leads the recovery stage. Generally, there are 3 levels
of Civil Contingencies response. There is a strategic group at National or Strathclyde wide
level, a tactical group at North Ayrshire level and an operational group at local level.

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The Ayrshire Civil Contingencies Team (ACCT) act as lead for the Council and implement
the Civil Contingencies Plan liaising with all relevant Stakeholders identified within the
Plan.
2. Priorities For Winter Treatment 
North Ayrshire Council has defined the priorities for carriageway and footway/footpath
treatment as follows:
2.1.1 Carriageway Priorities
Where slush is formed, this shall be removed as soon as practicable to avoid the risk of
rutting should there be a further significant fall in road temperatures which might result in
freezing conditions.
2.1.2 Carriageway Routes for Proactive Treatment
Priority 1 – Strategic, Main Distributor and Distributor routes, bus routes and certain pre-
determined Secondary Distributor routes identified from the Local Transport Strategy
(LTS) will be treated when it is forecast that snow or ice is likely to be present on road
surfaces.
Due to the various climatic domains within North Ayrshire the Priority 1 routes may be
adjusted to cover either the four pre-determined Inland Routes or two pre-determined High
Routes which all currently form part of our existing Priority Network.
Priority 1 gritting routes are available on the Council website here Winter gritting (north-
ayrshire.gov.uk)
2.1.3 Carriageway Routes for Reactive Treatment
Priority 2 – Remaining Secondary Distributor, local access, and residential distributor
roads.
Given the presence of ice and snow, Priority 2 routes may be treated during normal
working hours as resources permit, when sub-zero temperatures are forecast to continue
beyond midday following completion of Priority 1 routes.
Priority 3 – The remaining road network including minor rural unclassified routes and
remaining residential areas not already covered.
Priority 3 routes will be treated as resources permit when sub-zero conditions are forecast
to continue over an extended period only after all Priority 1 and Priority 2 routes are clear
unless it is identified as an emergency.

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2.1.4 Carriageway Routes for Snow Clearance
On receipt of a weather warning predicting medium (25 - 100 millimetres deep) or heavy
(over 100 millimetres deep) snowfalls, the Network & Operations Manager where
appropriate, will recall to depots such vehicles capable of being equipped with snow
ploughs.
While snow is still falling the Strategic and Main Distributor Network will be prioritised for
ploughing and treatment in order to target resources and to keep these routes open for
traffic.
After snow has stopped falling but is lying, the remaining Priority 1 precautionary routes
will be ploughed and treated before commencing ploughing and treatment on Priority 2
and Priority 3 routes as resources and conditions permit.
2.1.5 Cumbrae
There are no Roads Operatives based on the Isle of Cumbrae, however contract
arrangements have been made to carry out gritting operations and assist with weather
emergencies on the Island.  
2.2 Footway/Footpath Priorities
With limited resources available footways and footpaths will only be treated when
considered necessary (heavy snowfall or extensive icing). They will normally only be
treated during normal working hours (commencing from 8am), but arrangements are in
place to undertake emergency work out of normal working hours, weekends, and public
holidays in extreme circumstances.
Generally, treatment of footways and footpaths will be reactionary and not pre-
programmed, and where possible work will be undertaken during normal working hours. 
When treatment is instructed the following priorities will apply: -
Priority 1 Routes will be considered for treatment if it is forecast that ice or snow is likely
to be present or where surfaces are wet with temperatures forecast to remain below zero
until 10am the next working day.
Priority 1 Routes - Urban shopping areas and precincts, footway access to 
schools, emergency facilities including fire and rescue, 
police and ambulance services, hospitals, sheltered    
housing, doctors surgeries and health centres. 
Priority 2 routes will be treated if it is forecast that ice or snow is likely to be present with
temperatures forecast to remain below zero for a prolonged period only after priority 1
routes are clear.
Priority 2 Routes -  Steep hills on main distributor and residential distributor routes,  
routes to bus stops, only after all Priority 1 have been    
cleared:

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Priority 3 routes will be treated if it is forecast that ice or snow is likely to be present with
temperatures forecast to remain below zero for a prolonged period only after priority 1 and
2 routes are clear.
Priority 3 Routes - Other areas of high pedestrian concentration.
Streetscene staff will assist with the treatment of footways. 
To maximise coverage on footways, generally only one side of a road will be initially
treated.
It is not possible for the Council to treat all footways and footpaths within North Ayrshire.
As such the Council encourages the community to participate in self-help, through the use
of grit bins which can be requested through the grit bin application process. Grit bins will
only be allocated where it has been assessed and deemed as an appropriate location by
the Council.
2.3 Cycle Routes
With limited manpower resources no treatment will be carried out on off road cycle routes.
2.4 Response and Treatment Times
Routine precautionary salting of priority 1 carriageway routes should be completed within 3
hours of the planned start time. For emergency or unplanned salting, the start time from
leaving the depot shall be no more than 1 hour. 
3. Organisation
The Head of Neighbourhood Services is responsible for specifying the level of winter
service required based on approval from the Council. The Network & Operations Manager
is responsible for implementing this service.
A duty Winter Controller and Winter Supervisor will be appointed by the Network &
Operations Manager for the whole of the winter period covered by these procedures (mid-
October to early April).

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4. North Ayrshire Council Resources (Roads)
4.1 General
Following approval from the Council, it is the responsibility of the Head of Neighbourhood
Services to define the level of service to be provided within their sphere of operations and
to issue appropriate instructions to the Network & Operations Manager to provide the
necessary labour and plant for winter operations. This level of service will be based on the
national Code of Practice for Well Managed Highway Infrastructure (see Appendix A).
The level of winter treatment is established utilising the weather forecasts provided by
MetDesk Limited in accordance with the winter treatment matrix (Appendix B).
The Network & Operations Manager shall thereafter be responsible for advising the Head
of Service of any matters which may affect his ability to deal with adverse weather
conditions such as. labour disputes, extensive plant breakdowns.
Labour resources from Neighbourhood Services (Roads) will be provided for the Winter
and Weather Emergencies Service. The stand-by period will be 23 October 2025 until 9
April 2026. This period may be extended beyond the given dates if conditions warrant such
action. These arrangements include home stand-by which is activated by the designated
Winter Supervisor when instructed by the Winter Controller or as the result of hazardous
road conditions being reported.
4.2 Labour
A proportion of the roads labour force will be on stand-by for winter service operations out
of normal working hours, with the remainder on call out as necessary. This allows evening
and early morning precautionary salting to be carried out on our priority carriageway
network to undertake treatment before the morning rush hour.
In determining the labour resources required for the winter service, cognisance is taken of
the key objective to treat all priority routes before the commencement of the morning peak
period.
4.3 Vehicle Plant and Equipment
Prior to commencement of winter service operations, the Senior Manager (Network) will
ensure that all equipment for salting roads and snow clearing is in working order and,
where appropriate, that ancillary items can be fitted to vehicles without difficulty, such as
ploughs set up on blocks to facilitate assembly. The above procedure should also be
applied to vehicles and plant available under contract for the winter service.
The Senior Manager (Network) will ensure that all vehicles engaged in the winter service
are equipped with radios or other appropriate communication devices to allow contact to
be maintained between the depot and operators. Superintendents have mobile
telephones. There is also vehicle tracking system fitted and operational in all vehicles to
reduce the risk associated with gritting operations.

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A summary of labour, vehicles, plant, and equipment available for the winter service work
is detailed in Appendix C.
Once per year the Senior Manager (Network), will organise a trial closure of the flood
gates and erection of the de-mountable barriers at the Largs and Saltcoats flood protection
controls. This is to ensure that the gates and barriers remain in full working order and that
all staff are familiar with the process.
4.4 Salt
Salt is purchased through a Scotland Excel annual purchase contract. Mainland salt
deliveries are stored in the salt barn within the Goldcraigs Depot. Salt on Arran is stored in
the open at the Roads Depot in Market Road, Brodick.
During the season, the Senior Manager (Network) will arrange for a weekly check to be
made on the amount of salt used and for stocks to be augmented as necessary. There is a
procedure in place at the depot to strictly control salt distribution. All vehicles are tagged
and must cross the weighbridge to accurately record salt usage. This includes salt
distributed to Streetscene and contractors assisting with winter service delivery.
Small quantities of salt are available for issue free of charge to the public, subject to
residents supplying a suitable container. Details of locations of community grit bins where
small quantities of salt are available are given in Appendix D
The planned salt stock level at commencement of winter is given in Appendix E.
In the event of prolonged severe weather, the Council has a salt resilience plan (Appendix
F), which will be implemented if conditions require.
5. Other Resources
During adverse weather conditions, the Network & Operations Manager, (after consultation
with the Head of Neighbourhood Services), shall, if necessary, augment his resources by
the use of personnel from Streetscene and external contractors at rates agreed prior to
engagement through a framework contract. The Head of Neighbourhood Services should
be advised, as soon as practicable, of external resources engaged as a result of decisions
made out with normal working hours.
The Network & Operations Manager will provide a supply of salt to Streetscene and
external contractors where appropriate to permit the treatment of agreed
footways/footpaths. This will be managed through a salt management system based at
Goldcraigs Roads Depot.
6. Weather Forecasting
North Ayrshire Council, through a collaborative contract led by South Lanarkshire Council,
has appointed MetDesk Limited, as their weather forecast provider. During the winter
service period MetDesk Limited will provide a weather forecasting service and monitor
road and weather conditions.

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The forecasters receive, monitor, and interpret, climatic, ice prediction and weather radar
information on a continuous basis and provide detailed weather forecasts on a daily basis
during the whole winter period.
SEPA operate a coastal flood warning system for the Firth of Clyde. If storm surges and
coastal flooding are predicted, SEPA provide advance warning to the Council by e-mail
and also through their Floodline service which is available on their website or by phone. 
This service is available all year round.
7.      Decision Making
The Network & Operations Manager will appoint suitably trained and experienced
personnel as Winter Controllers.
During the winter season the Winter Controller will receive the weather forecast around
12.00 hours and decide on the treatment to be carried out. The Winter Controller will check
the treatment decision of neighbouring authorities for consistency and reconsider if
necessary. The weather forecast provider will provide an evening forecast around 18.00
hours and if this update indicates any change in the forecast the Winter Controller will
amend the decision accordingly and advise the Winter Supervisor.
For out of office hours, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays the Network & Operations
Manager shall provide the weather forecast provider with contact telephone numbers of
the on-duty Winter Controller. If the forecast conditions change from good to adverse at
any time, then the weather forecast provider will phone the Winter Controller either at work
or at home as appropriate. Thereafter, it is the responsibility of the Winter Controller to
take action including the calling out of stand-by squads to undertake salting/snow clearing.
Winter Controllers have the facility at any time to contact the weather forecast provider for
advice or clarification of forecasts. These arrangements will be in place from 6 October
2025 until 23 April 2026 and these dates can be extended if required.
The decision-making process is illustrated in Appendices A & B.
The Head of Neighbourhood Services will appoint suitably trained staff and experienced
personnel to manage the coastal flood prevention schemes at Largs and Saltcoats. During
the winter season, this will be the Winter Controller.

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8. Ice Prediction
In addition to the weather forecast information, the Council has available further
information from sensors which have been installed at the locations listed below: -
• A78 Ardrossan
• A78 Sharphill
• A737 Highfield
• A760 Catburn
• A735 Near Dunlop
• B880 Arran, summit of The String
The sensors provide current details of road and air temperatures and indicate the
presence of moisture, thereby identifying locations that icing has occurred or where there
is a risk that icing will occur. 
By utilising the data from these sensors, the weather forecast provider is able to
supplement their forecast by producing site specific forecasts. The above information is
available to the Winter Controller via computer link 24 hours a day throughout the winter
period.
9. Road Condition Reports
During periods of adverse weather, the Network & Operations Manager shall receive
reports on road conditions from the Winter Supervisor by 9.45am. These reports should be
updated as necessary depending on changing circumstances.
10. Communications 
The Head of Neighbourhood Services or nominated senior manager will deal with
statements to the Press, Radio, and Television regarding road conditions throughout the
area. The Council’s Communication team will assist and may take the lead role depending
on the nature of any significant event.
General advice and information, along with timeous service updates, will be placed on the
Council’s website.
The Head of Neighbourhood Services (or nominated senior officer) will ensure that all staff
involved in communication with members of the public are fully briefed with consistent and
accurate information.
A protocol has been agreed by the West of Scotland Regional Resilience Partnership
(WoS RRP) and Ayrshire Civil Contingencies Team (ACCT) for the transfer of information
in relation to Winter and Weather Emergencies.

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The Council’s daily winter decisions are available for the public and can be accessed via
the Council’s website. Any winter and weather emergencies can be reported to North
Ayrshire Council and the Trunk Road Operators using the contact information contained
within Appendix G.
The distribution list for winter weather emergencies can be found under Appendix H.
11. Road Closures
Where it is considered that a road is rendered unsafe due to adverse winter conditions
then Police Scotland or persons acting on behalf of the Chief Constable will arrange to
have the road closed and advise the on-duty Winter Supervisor as soon as possible of
their actions. The Winter Supervisor will advise the Winter Controller/Network &
Operations Manager of any road closures. Appropriate measures will also be taken to re-
direct traffic and to ensure that the necessary signs are put in place. When the road
affected is a through route the adjoining Councils will be kept informed. Police Scotland
will advise the other emergency services (Ambulance & Fire) of the closures.
Prior to signing diversionary routes, the capacity of the roads and the headroom and
weight restrictions of structures should be checked with the Winter Controller to ensure
that they are adequate (see Appendix I).
12. Liaison With Police Scotland
Neighbourhood Services (Roads) will ensure close liaison with Police Scotland, particularly
during periods of severe weather. 
Where practicable, Police Scotland will be informed in advance of North Ayrshire Council’s
proposed operations. Similarly, arrangements have been made for exchanging information
on proposed actions with neighbouring authorities and the trunk road operating company. 
Where necessary the service will request appropriate assistance from Police Scotland
when moving equipment, arranging road closures, and dealing with abandoned vehicles.
Reports from Police Scotland regarding dangerous road conditions should be acted upon
by the Winter Supervisor as soon as practicable, having regard to priorities in this
document and the conditions pertaining throughout the area.

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13. Ayrshire Local Resilience Partnership (ALRP) Disruptive Weather
Response Arrangements
There have been several occasions when severe weather including high winds, heavy rain
and snow has caused disruption to communities and services in Ayrshire. Arrangements
are in place where partner organisations can trigger the ALRP Disruptive Weather
Response Arrangements. The purpose of these arrangements are: - 
• To protect human life, property, and the environment
• To implement a professional and coordinated multi-agency response to the
incident in conjunction with our communities.
• To maintain wider public confidence in the multi-agency response and
minimise general community and infrastructure impact.
• To ensuring that all possible measures are in place to protect vulnerable or
displaced members of the community.
• To support effective public communication regarding the incident along the
principles of warning and informing.
• To ensure awareness of the potential impact of events out with Ayrshire on
the local multi-agency response.
• To ensure that organisational and partnership learning points are captured to
ensure a continuing focus on safeguarding the public.
14. Cross Boundary Arrangements
Because the Council boundaries do not always coincide with convenient turning points at
the end of gritting routes, arrangements have been drawn up with all adjacent authorities
for the gritting routes to be continued short distances to appropriate turning points. See
(Appendix J).
15. Vehicle Routes
A thermal mapping exercise was undertaken on North Ayrshire’s road network over winter
season 2018 to 2019 and routes have been developed by the Roads Service on the basis
of the priorities listed in Section 2. However, in order to minimise unproductive mileage,
some roads in a lower category may be treated out of sequence. This may also occur
when conditions vary throughout the area.
A complete set of route cards will be kept in the Neighbourhood Services (Roads) offices,
with a duplicate set being held in Goldcraigs Depot.
Treatment of precautionary carriageway salting routes should be completed within three
hours of planned start time under routine conditions. When the Winter Controller instructs
immediate winter service operations, the response time to start treatment should be within
one hour.

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It should be noted that gritting routes are either at or close to capacity and it is unlikely that
any additions to routes could be considered without additional finance and human
resources. 
16. Precautionary Salting
On receipt, within normal working hours, of a forecast from the weather forecast provider
warning of frost, freezing or snow conditions, the Winter Controller in consultation with the
Network & Operations Manager, shall consider precautionary salting of main roads.
Where such a warning is received out with normal working hours, the Winter Controller
has delegated authority to activate call-out procedures as indicated in Section 7.
Extensive and accurate records of weather forecasts, winter treatment decisions and
actions taken will be kept demonstrating our compliance to our Winter and Weather
Emergencies Plan.

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17. Grit Bins
There are approximately 560 grit bins distributed across North Ayrshire. These are located
at areas of particular difficulty such as dangerous bends, steep gradients. The policy and
procedures for siting of grit bins, and requests for additional bins is shown in Appendix K.
Grit bins will be refilled prior to the start of winter and as considered necessary during the
winter season and following periods of severe weather when resources are available. 
The locations of Community Grit Bins are listed in Appendix D and are also show on the
council website here Winter gritting (north-ayrshire.gov.uk)
18. Largs And Saltcoats Flood Protection Schemes
On receipt of a severe weather warning predicting a combination of strong winds, high
tides, or tidal surges the Winter Controller will, when necessary, instruct the closure of the
flood gates on the promenade at Largs and/or the erection of the flood barriers at the
Largs Pier and/or Saltcoats promenade.
19. Sandbag Procedures 
The deployment of sandbags to prevent or contain floodwaters can be an effective way of
mitigating the effect of a flood, however the lead time for filling and deployment can be
lengthy, as a large number of bags cannot be filled in advance due to storage problems.
Therefore, an early decision must be taken to sandbag, to avoid a subsequent waste of
time and effort. The deployment of sandbags will be decided with regard to the following
priorities:
1. To prevent loss of life or serious injury
2. Maintenance of access for the emergency services
3. Protection of vital facilities within the community
4. Protection of transportation routes
5. Protection of NAC property
6. Protection of private dwelling houses

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The decision to deploy sandbags will be made by the Winter Controller / Supervisor or
appropriate officers in Building Services, Cleansing or the Island Officer on Arran in
accordance with the Services' callout/emergency procedures.
Notes: 
1. Sandbags will not normally be deployed to protect commercial property;
2. Appropriate stocks of empty and filled sandbags will be held by the Services
mentioned above, based on previous usage and experience.
The above procedure mainly relates to tidal, fluvial and watercourse flooding. Where
flooding occurs as a result of a blocked, damaged, or ineffective Council owned drainage
systems, sandbags will be deployed as required to mitigate the effects of flooding (and
reduce the likelihood of claims against the Council) including the protection of commercial
property. 
Sandbags are not readily available for collection by either residents nor commercial
property owners in the event of heavy rain being forecast, they should make their own
arrangements to ensure that their properties are protected from potential flooding. 
During an emergency situation, the Council will deploy sandbags to protect transportation
routes and properties as far as is possible where flooding occurs in line with priorities
outlined above.  
20. Resilience Arrangements 
In critical situations should our operational resources be reduced, a minimum resilience
network for winter gritting has been prepared. Should we have to reduce our level of
service due to an extreme situation our priority gritting routes will reduce from six to three.
On Arran we may require reducing from two to one gritting vehicle covering the island
routes and the treatment time for gritting operations will increase accordingly.
The Head of Service will decide if the level of service has to be reduced due to extreme
situations. 
Details of our resilience network are attached as Appendix L.

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Appendix A - Level of Service 
Road Surface
Temperature Precipitation
Predicted Road
Conditions Wet / Wet
Patches
Predicted Road
Conditions Dry
Temperature
Forecast
between
+1.5oC and
+0.5oC
No Rain
No Hoar Frost
No Fog
High Route Patrols No action likely
Temperature
Forecast
below +0.5oC
No Rain
No Hoar Frost
No Fog
Priority 1 Routes
Salt before frost
No action likely
Temperature
Forecast
below +0.5oC
Expected Hoar Frost
Expected Fog
Priority 1 Routes
Salt before frost
Priority 1 Routes
Salt before frost
Temperature
Forecast
below +0.5oC
Expected rain
BEFORE freezing
Priority 1 Routes
Salt after rain stops
Priority 1 Routes
Salt after rain
stops
Temperature
Forecast
below +0.5oC
Expected rain
DURING freezing
Priority 1 Routes
Salt before frost, as
required during rain and
after rain stops
Priority 1 Routes
- Salt before frost,
as required
during rain and
after rain stops
Temperature
Forecast
below +0.5oC
Possible rain
Possible hoar frost
Possible fog
Priority 1 Routes
Salt before frost
Monitor weather
conditions
Temperature
Forecast
below +0.5oC
Expected Snow Fall
Priority 1 Routes and
footways
Salt before snow fall
Priority 1 Routes
and footways
Salt before snow
fall
The decision to undertake precautionary treatments should be adjusted, where
appropriate, to take account of residual salt.
All decisions should be evidence based, recorded, and continuously monitored and
reviewed.

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Appendix B - Decision Making
Note:
• Rate of spread for precautionary treatments may be adjusted to take account of
local variations along the routes such as residual salt, temperature variations,
surface moisture (air or road surface) road alignment and traffic density.
• All decisions should be evidence based, recorded and require continuous
monitoring and review.
• Ice refers to all ice on the road surface, including black ice.
• The level of service generally complies with the recommendations laid down in
“NWSRG best practice guide for Winter Salt” as recommended in the Well Managed
Highway Infrastructure Code of Practice and takes account of recommendations by
the SCOTS Winter Group following a review of the Code of Practice and
consultation with the National Winter Service Research Group (NWSRG).

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Winter Treatment Spread Rate Matrix 
Recommended Spread Rates – Dry Salting (g/m2)
Road Surface Temperature
(RST) when frost/ice is
predicted and road
wetness.
Poor Cover
(salt stored
uncovered)
Medium Traffic
Normal Loss
Good Cover
(salt stored
under cover)
Medium
Traffic
Normal Loss
Comments
RST at or above -2 deg
and dry or damp road
conditions
10 10 None
RST at or above -2 deg
and wet road conditions
15 10 None
RST below -2 deg and
above - 5 deg and dry or
damp road conditions
15 or 20 10 or 15 Spread rate dependent
on residual salt on road
surface
RST below -2 deg and
above - 5 deg and wet
road conditions
1 x 20 &
monitor & treat
as required
20 None
RST at or below -5 deg
and above -10 deg and
dry or damp road
conditions
1 x 20 &
monitor & treat
as required
20 Spread rate dependent
on residual salt on road
surface
RST at or below -5 deg
and above -10 deg and
wet road conditions
1 x 20 &
monitor & treat
as required
1 x 20 &
monitor &
treat as
required
None

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Salt Type
Precautionary Treatments
Before Snow or Freezing
rain 
Light or Medium
Traffic Heavy Traffic
Dry Salt Light Snow Forecast 20g/m2 20g/m2
Pre-wet
Salt Light Snow Forecast 20g/m2 20g/m2
Treated
Salt Light Snow Forecast 15g/m2 15g/m2
Dry Salt Moderate/Heavy Snow
Forecast 20g/m2 40g/m2
Pre-wet
Salt
Moderate/Heavy Snow
Forecast 20g/m2 40g/m2
Treated
Salt
Moderate/Heavy Snow
Forecast 15g/m2 30g/m2
Dry Salt Freezing rain Forecast 1 x20g/m2 then monitor 1 x20g/m2 then
monitor
Pre-wet
Salt Freezing rain Forecast 1 x20g/m2 then monitor 1 x20g/m2 then
monitor
Treated
Salt Freezing rain Forecast 1 x15g/m2 then monitor 1 x15g/m2 then
monitor

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Appendix C - Summary of Available Labour & Plant
Type Of Plant/Labour Goldcraigs  Arran  Other
NAC
Total
18 Tonne Uni-body Gritter 10 3 0 13
7.5 Tonne Uni-body
Gritter
1 0 0 1
Trailer Gritter 0 1 0 1
Footway Gritter 1 0 7 8
18 Tonne Uni-body Lorry 10 3 0 13
26 Tonne Multi-lift Lorry 1 0 0 1
7.5 Tonne Uni-body Lorry 1 0 0 1
Tractor 0 0 9 9
JCB 3CX 0 1 0 1
Telehandler 1 1 0 2
Fixed V Plough 3 2 0 5
Small Blade Plough 1 1 0 2
Large Blade Plough 12 3 0 15
Drivers  27 13 0 40
Pickup Drivers 4 4 22 30
Operatives 5 1 29 35 
Note  
When necessary, labour, vehicles, plant and equipment from other Council Departments,
plant hirers and contractors will be used to supplement above resources.
This also applies for non-winter related emergency responses.

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Appendix D - Community Grit Bins
Small quantities of salt are available for issue free of charge to members of the public,
subject to their supplying a suitable container from the Community Grit Bins sited at the
following locations.
Ardrossan – Car park, North Crescent Road
Beith – Community centre, Kings Road
Brodick – Household waste recycling centre
Dalry – Car park, Kirk Close
Fairlie – Car park, Pier Road
Irvine – Bartonholm civic amenity site
Kilbirnie – Cleansing depot, Paddockholm Road
Kilwinning – Byrehill Place (off Pennyburn Road)
Lamlash – Council office
Largs – Cleansing depot, Alexander Avenue
Millport – Kepple Pier
Saltcoats – Cleansing depot, Mid Dykes Road
Skelmorlie – Toward View (opposite fire station)
Stevenston – Car park, Garnock Road
West Kilbride – Community Centre, Corse Street

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Appendix E - Summary of Available Materials
The following salt, grit and sand stocks will be in place at commencement of winter: -
Goldcraigs (salt barn)
• 6000 tons of salt 
• 100 tons of sand for sandbags
Arran
• 2400 tons of salt
• 300 tons of sand for sandbags
Cumbrae
• 20 tons of salt
• 500 filled sandbags
Note: Approximately 4000 sandbags are located at Goldcraigs, and 500 on Arran.

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Appendix F - Salt Resilience Plan (Mainland)
Level 1 (Green) Service – Stock Levels 2500 Tonnes and above
• Service levels as detailed in NAC Winter and Weather Emergencies Plan.
• Typical daily salt usage (snow conditions) 470T – resilience 8 days
or
• Typical daily salt usage (frost & ice only) 235T – resilience 16 days
Level 2 (Amber 1) Service – Stock Levels 1800 Tonnes – 2500Tonnes
• Only Priority 1 carriageway routes treated with pure salt, remaining priority
carriageway routes reduced to half the normal spread rate or salt/grit mix at 50/50
• All footway routes reduced to salt/sand mix at 50/50
• Grit bins replenished with salt/sand mix at 50/50.
• Typical daily salt usage (snow conditions) 330T – resilience 2 days.
or 
• Typical daily salt usage (frost & ice only) 165T – resilience 4 days
Level 3 (Amber 2) Service – Stock Levels 1000 Tonnes – 1800 Tonnes
• All carriageway routes reduced to half the normal spread rate or salt/grit mix at
50/50
• Priority 1 footway routes treated with salt/sand mix at 50/50
• Remaining footway routes treated with sand/grit mix at 50/50
• Grit bins replenished with sand/grit mix at 50/50
• Typical daily salt usage (snow conditions) 150T – resilience 5 days.
or
• Typical daily salt usage (frost & ice only) 75T – resilience 10 days
Level 4 (Red) Service – Stock Levels less than 1000Tonnes
• Priority 1 carriageways reduced to half the normal spread rate or salt/grit mix at
50/50
• Treat remaining carriageway routes with sand/grit mix at 50/50
• All footway routes treated with sand/grit mix at 50/50
• Grit bins replenished with sand/grit mix.
• Typical daily salt usage (snow conditions) 100T – resilience 10 days
or
• Typical daily salt usage (frost & ice only) 50T – resilience 20 days
Assuming 7000 tonnes in stock at start of winter our total resilience would be either:
• Total Resilience during periods of heavy snow - 27 days
or
Total Resilience during periods of frost & ice conditions - 54 days

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Salt Resilience Plan (Arran)
Level 1 (Green) Service – Stock Levels 1000 Tonnes and above
• Service levels as detailed in NAC Winter and Weather Emergencies Plan.
• Typical daily salt usage (snow conditions) 52T – resilience 28 days
or
• Typical daily salt usage (frost & ice only) 26T – resilience 56 days
Level 2 (Amber 1) Service – Stock Levels 550 Tonnes – 1000Tonnes
• Only Priority 1 carriageway routes treated with pure salt, remaining priority
carriageway routes reduced to half the normal spread rate or salt/grit mix at 50/50
• All footway routes reduced to salt/sand mix at 50/50
• Grit bins replenished with salt/sand mix at 50/50.
• Typical daily salt usage (snow conditions) 44T – resilience 10 days.
or
• Typical daily salt usage (frost & ice only) 22T – resilience 20 days
Level 3 (Amber 2) Service – Stock Levels 250 Tonnes – 550 Tonnes
• All carriageway routes reduced to half the normal spread rate or salt/grit mix at
50/50
• Priority 1 footway routes treated with salt/sand mix at 50/50
• Remaining footway routes treated with sand/grit mix at 50/50
• Grit bins replenished with salt/sand mix at 50/50
• Typical daily salt usage (snow conditions) 30T – resilience 10 days.
or
• Typical daily salt usage (frost & ice only) 15T – resilience 20 days
Level 4 (Red) Service – Stock Levels less than 250 Tonnes
• Priority 1 carriageways reduced to half the normal spread rate or salt/grit mix at
50/50
• Treat remaining carriageway routes with sand/grit mix at 50/50
• All footway routes treated with sand/grit mix at 50/50
• Grit bins replenished with sand/grit mix.
• Typical daily salt usage (snow conditions) 20T – resilience 12 days
or
• Typical daily salt usage (frost & ice only) 10T – resilience 24 days
Assuming 2,400 tonnes in stock at start of winter our total resilience would be either
• Total Resilience during periods of heavy snow - 60 days
or
Total Resilience during periods of frost & ice conditions - 120 days

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Appendix G - Contact Address & Telephone Numbers
During working hours
North Ayrshire Council
Neighbourhood Services (Roads)
Cunninghame House
Irvine
KA12 8EE
Telephone: 01294 310000
Arran Local Office
Lamlash
Isle of Arran
KA27 8JY
Telephone: 01770 600338
Trunk Roads
A78, A737 and A738
Amey
Network Control Centre
150 Polmadie Road
Glasgow
G5 0HD
Control Room telephone: 0800 0420188
Email: OCCR-southwest@amey.co.uk
Outside of working hours
North Ayrshire Council
Call centre – road and lighting faults
24 hours, seven days a week
Telephone: 01294 310000

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Appendix H - Distribution List 
Copies
North Ayrshire Council
Chief Executive 1
Executive Director: Place 1
Executive Director: Communities & Education 1
Head of Neighbourhood Services 1
Head of Housing and Public Protection 1
Head of Democratic Services 1
ACCT 1
All Elected Members of North Ayrshire Council 33
Police Scotland
Divisional Commander, Kilmarnock 1
Traffic Management, Ayr 1
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport 1
Scottish Fire & Rescue Service – Divisional Commander  1
Scottish Ambulance Service 1
MetDesk Limited 1
Amey 1
Ayrshire Roads Alliance  1
Renfrewshire Council - Head of Roads 1
East Renfrewshire Council – Head of Roads & Planning 1
Inverclyde Council – Head of Transportation & Roads Service 1
Contact Centre, Building Services, Stevenston 1
Contact Centre, Bridgegate House, Irvine 1

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Appendix I - Bridges with Weight or Height Restrictions 
Height Restrictions
Bridge Location Grid Reference Signed
Height
Metric
Signed
Height
Imperial
B714/50: Dalry, Railway Bridge 229960 649702 3.8 12’ – 6”
B706/40: Barrmill 236834 651392 4.0 13’ – 0”
B7047/10: Meadowfoot Road, West
Kilbride
220791 647032 4.6 15’ – 0”
C6/10: West Balgray 235333 642491 3.9 12’ – 9”
C26/10: South Kilruskin 220541 650473 4.4 14’ – 6”
C26/20: North Kilruskin 220423 650868 5.0 16’ – 6”
U67/10: Dubbs 228508 642006 3.0 9’ – 9”
U67(A78 280): Todhill (Dubbs Road,
under A78, Kilwinning Bypass)
229175 642250 4.0 13’ – 0”
U67/30: Nethermains 230059 642199 3.7 12’ – 0”
C56/30: Moor Road 220639 652980 4.7 15’ – 6”
C67/20: Tandelhill 238174 651683 4.4 14’ – 3”
C99/20: Cockenzie 230694 646241 3.0 10’ – 0”
Unc.TG/230: Garnock View,
Glengarnock
231875 653191 3.8 12’ – 6”
Unc.TI/70: Old Church Street, Irvine 213571 638800 4.0 13’ – 3”

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Weight Restrictions
Bridge Location Grid Reference Signed Weight 
B781/30: West Kilbride, Dalry Road 221015 649062 7.5T
C129/20: Floors, north of Kilmaurs 240866 641921 17T
C99/30: Dusk Bridge, near Dalry 230599 646882 7.5T
Unc.TL/30: Largs, May Street 220711 658602 7.5T
U16/10: Dalgarven Mill Bridge, north of
Kilwinning, (formerly Unc.NC/30)
229571 645847 26T
U23: Fairliecrevoch Bridge, Perceton, Irvine 236065 642011 3T
Unc.NT/10: Barrmill 236472 650997 3T (Not Adopted)
U54/30: Sevenacres Mill Bridge, Kilwinning 233123 643810 Currently being
replaced.

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Appendix J - Arrangements with other Authorities
Roads to be treated by North Ayrshire
South Ayrshire – U107 from the South Ayrshire Council boundary at the railway bridge to A759
Auchengate Interchange.
East Ayrshire - A736 – from Caldwell Bridge southwards to Lugton, A736 – from B778
junction south eastwards to Torranyard, C24 - from Greenhill Terrace, Knockentiber to
boundary at Plann Bridge, C126 from Montgreenan Bridge to North Lodge and
Knockentiber Road from boundary near Springside to junction with C24.
Renfrewshire Council - A760 – from boundary to Kerse Road junction and Kerse Road –
from boundary to A760 junction.
Roads to be treated by adjacent authorities
Ayrshire Roads Alliance (East Ayrshire)
A71 – from boundary westwards to Corsehill Roundabout, A735 – that section within North
Ayrshire boundary, B769 – from boundary south westwards to Chapeltoun junction, C129
– that section within North Ayrshire boundary, C20 – that section within North Ayrshire
boundary, B706 – from boundary to A736, C117 – from Chapeltoun Bridge to Wheatrig
Bridge.
Ayrshire Roads Alliance (South Ayrshire)
B730 from the North Ayrshire Council boundary at the railway bridge south of Drybridge to
junction Shewalton Road, Drybridge.
Note:  There are no cross-boundary arrangements with East Renfrewshire Council.

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Appendix K - Grit Bin Policy & Procedure
1. North Ayrshire Council shall provide grit bins for self-help by members of the public.
These shall be sited locally in accordance with this policy.
2. Grit bins shall only be located where the following criteria are met: - 
• The location is not on a precautionary carriageway route.
• The gradient is greater than 1 in 10, or at a junction with a known history of
accidents.
• The location shall not obstruct the passage of pedestrians, a minimum of 1.5m
clearance on the footway is required.
• The location shall not obstruct sight lines.
• The location is not within 200m of another grit bin location.
• The location is within an urban area.
• The location is within the boundary of the public road. Neighbourhood Services will
not provide grit bins in private areas or car parks for internal use by either the
Council or any other public or private property such as schools, parks, hospitals, old
people’s homes, etc. unless a service level agreement is in place.
3. Grit bins will only be located where they can be filled from a lorry. The grit bins shall be
refilled prior to the start of winter and as considered necessary during the winter
season and following periods of severe weather when resources are available.
4. Grit bins will generally be left in place during the summer months unless there is a
history of vandalism at a particular location.
5. The location of grit bins will be recorded in an electronic database, which will be made
available on the North Ayrshire Council website.
6. Only written requests on the Council’s Grit Bin Application Form will be considered,
these are available from the Head of Neighbourhood Services, Cunninghame House,
Irvine, KA12 8EE, and on the Council’s website. 
7. A request will not be accepted unless a location to site the grit bin has been agreed.
Therefore, even if the criterion for locating a grit bin is met, a grit bin will not be
provided if the adjacent residents cannot agree a position. The signed agreement of
adjacent residents must be included on the submitted application form, otherwise the
application will not be considered. 
8. Grit Bin Application forms are available on the Council’s website at Winter gritting
(north-ayrshire.gov.uk)

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Appendix L – Winter Minimal Resilience Network