Grit sweeping in winter’s wake

Date Added - 18/03/10

Moray Council has begun the task of sweeping up the huge amount of grit spread by its roads maintenance crews during the most prolonged winter for nearly 30 years.

Thousands of tons were deposited on roads, streets and pavements across Moray over a period of more than 10 weeks.

Council officials are hoping that the winter weather is now finally over and have begun mobilising manpower and equipment to sweep up the grit.

Given the volume of material spread by the council’s fleet of gritters, it is an exercise which is likely to take some time.

Town centres and main roads will be cleared first, followed by more residential areas.

There will require to be a considerable amount of very early morning mechanical sweeping to minimise disruption to traffic.

A Moray Council spokesman said: “The amount of grit we put down over the winter was unprecedented and sweeping it up again – or as much of it as we are able – presents quite a challenge.

“The public were extremely patient and understanding when the winter weather was at its most severe and we would appeal to them to bear with us once again as we clear up the grit.

“We are keeping our fingers crossed that winter is behind us and that, should the bad weather return, it will not last long.”

Grit recovered from streets and roadways will be deposited in landfill. It is not practical to recycle it because it will be contaminated with all manner of detritus.