Gritting crews working at capacity to clear roads
ALL TWENTY of the council’s gritters have been out throughout Shetland since Monday – with crews working their maximum hours in a bid to clear the roads of snow and ice.
A spokesperson for Shetland Islands Council said the local authority has also hired in contractors with loading shovels, loadalls and JCBs.
Shetland has experienced significant snowfall since the start of the week, particularly through the night, with some school pupils currently on their fourth consecutive day off.
The worst of the weather has been in Northmavine, the North Isles and Whalsay.
For many parts of Shetland the wind has remained calm, while the sun has come out too – creating some picturesque views.
The council said gritting staff have been working the maximum hours permissible; from 6am, for ten driving hours or 11 working hours.
Hired-in contractors have been working to clear side roads in areas like Nesting, Mossbank, Hillswick, Yell and Unst.
The council spokesperson said it is too early to say how much salt has been used in this wintry spell so far.
“However, during the last period of heavy snowfall, which started on 12th December, we used almost 3,000 tonnes,” they added.
“We took delivery of 6,200 tonnes of salt a month ago, so prior to this week had 7,430 tonnes in stock at the Scord Quarry and at various roads depots.”
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