Council chiefs have claimed roads across Perth and Kinross will still be gritted during winter despite the loss of three pieces of equipment.
It’s been revealed that two Tayside Contracts gritters have been lost to Dundee City Council along with another to Angus Council after a review of resources.
The council has provided 20 handheld gritters to volunteers across the area, with 19 already being claimed by residents. These gritters cost around £220 each and the local authority has invested £5,000 from its winter maintenance budget to cover the cost of this scheme.
Despite the loss of the three main gritters, a council spokeswoman claimed residents will still see the same level of gritting carried out.
“The council will be providing the same level of gritting as last year although we may take longer to start our category two routes as we have three fewer gritters,” she said.
“There are minimal changes to our gritting routes from last year.
“We have brought on another two nightshift routes to offset the impact caused by the loss of the gritters.”
She continued: “We would encourage residents and businesses to clear their frontage of snow by digging it out and apply salt from a grit bin. The voluntary gritters are aimed at footways and minor cul-de-sacs in the council area that we are unlikely to get to.”
And the council has confirmed it has invested in almost 2,000 tonnes more salt this year.
The starting balance of salt was 21,714 tonnes in the 2016/17 season. This season will see a starting balance of 23,585 tonnes.