Gritters hit Aberdeen for first run of the season as temperatures to plunge below zero

Gritters will be out on Aberdeen’s main roads for the first time this winter with temperatures predicted to plunge to below zero.

Road temperatures could drop to -0.9C, with a risk of ice and hoar frost at 2am.

Aberdeen City Council gritters will be out treating the primary routes – the main roads which cover almost half of the city’s network – on Monday evening at 10pm and from 4.45am on Tuesday.

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The vehicles are just one of the ways the council prepares for and deals with wintry road conditions. A stockpile of 11,500 tonnes of salt is spread between 24 road gritters and 21 pavement gritters, and run by around 180 council staff.

It is not possible to salt every road, pavement, and cycleway around the city at the same time so they are prioritised, with main routes given top priority.

Aberdeen City Council co-leader councillor Ian Yuill said: “The weather has been very mild so far but, given the weather forecast, the Council’s gritters will be out tonight for the first time this winter. Hopefully the winter will be mild but here in Aberdeen there’s always a chance of snow and ice which can last for long periods.

“The council wants to keep roads open and safe for residents and I’d encourage people to keep a close check on weather forecasts, plan their journeys, adhere to police and travel advice, and look up information at Get ready for winter | Aberdeen City Council.”

Aberdeen City Council Net Zero, Environment and Transport vice convener councillor Miranda Radley said: “Roads are split into primary, secondary, and other routes, and pavements/cycleways are split into priority one routes and priority two areas. Once primary roads and priority one pavements have been treated, gritting then starts on secondary routes and then other roads where resources allow.

“Our gritting crews often go above and beyond to ensure the city’s main roads and the city centre’s busiest pavements are gritted before morning rush hour and we’d ask people to play their part by ensuring they are ready for winter whether driving, cycling, or walking.”

The primary routes which are treated first are the main transport routes through the city and include major bus routes, roads around Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, and roads near emergency services locations. The primary routes make up almost half of Aberdeen’s roads network and are never impassable unless there are abnormal conditions. These are usually gritted early morning from 4.45am to 7am to ensure they are salted before rush hour.

The priority one pavement routes cover some of the busiest pavements around the city centre. Priority two pavements – the rest of the city – are treated on area basis, with a priority given to high footfall streets and areas around public facilities, medical facilities, and shopping areas.

There are also large community salt bins are at 20 convenient locations around the city along with grit bins, and the big community salt bags which are being delivered to households across the city for community use.

Weather forecasts are closely monitored throughout the day and night, and gritters and ploughs can be out 24/7 treating primary routes.

More information, including the locations of the large community salt bins and street grit bins, can be found at Get ready for winter | Aberdeen City Council.