Black ice forces drivers off Caithness roads – Council leader urges caution
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With Highland Council's road report warning of ice and vehicle accidents occurring in Caithness, the council leader has urged drivers to take extra care in the wintry conditions.
Several images were shared by reader Colin Clugston who saw a car and a lorry in ditches at Harpsdale and Glengolly close to where he lives in Halkirk.
"The roads are like a sheet of ice and people need to be really careful on them," said Mr Clugston.
The council's road conditions report for today (December 12) warned of black ice that may present problems for drivers and pedestrians across Caithness. Issued at 8.34am the report states: "There is black ice present in parts of the county and treatment is ongoing where necessary."
Following a week of very icy and cold wintry weather, the leader of the Highland Council has acknowledged the difficult conditions that recent adverse weather has created for road and footway users and is encouraging everyone to "take extra care and allow additional time for journeys".
Wick and East Caithness councillor Raymond Bremner said: “Ice, thaw and freezing rain sustained over a prolonged period of time in many areas of the Highlands have meant that our gritting crews have had to take longer getting round all the routes agreed in the council’s winter maintenance policy.
"In some extreme circumstances, local teams have to re-prioritise their work. There’s a number of things that we can do to try and help including delaying journeys or to avoid travel. I’d really like to encourage folks to take extra care and avoid or minimise risk where at all possible.”
He added: “I’d also encourage folks to be extra careful even after treatment has taken place as generally the road surface temperature needs to rise a little before there is enough free moisture for the salt to work.”
Chair of the council’s economy and infrastructure committee, councillor Ken Gowans said: “Our crews are up and out before dawn each day and treating the roads in order of priority, main routes first, secondary routes and so on. When the weather is as cold as it was last week, their work is going to take longer to completed. We thank the public for their support and cooperation and advise them that please drive to the conditions. Black ice can a very real danger at any time of the day.”
Details of the gritting routes for primary, secondary and other roads for each geographical area are available on the council’s website at: www.highland.gov.uk/readyforwinter
The head of roads and infrastructure, Tracey Urry added: “We have the longest road network of any council in Scotland and unfortunately it is not possible to treat every road at the same time.
"That's why we have a priority system to treat the areas in greatest need first. We urge everyone to be extra careful when out and about in these wintry conditions and allow extra time for all journeys.”
