A COUNTY council is informing motorists that is is to reduce the length of routes gritted as a precautionary measure for wintry weather – the decision has been taken following a review of the service.

In line with most councils, Denbighshire has traditionally salted all A and B class roads, as well as a proportion of the remainder of the road network such as trunk roads and routes linking communities.

Each salting run involves nine vehicles driving a total of 530 miles of which 354 miles is salted – this figure includes salting the trunk roads.

As a result of the changes, each full gritting run will now be over 27 miles shorter.

Councillor David Smith, cabinet lead member for environment, said: “The Council needed to review its gritting service, like every other service, as part of the process of setting the budget.

"Following a review of the service, it was decided to rationalise the number of roads that are routinely salted as a precautionary measure.

“For this coming winter there will be a number of roads that were previously a part of the council’s gritting routes that will no longer be the case. 

“In almost all locations there is a suitable, parallel road close by that will still be treated.

“It is important to note that there is no legal duty placed on the council to treat any road and so making these cuts is feasible but should they be affected by particularly adverse conditions such as snow then they will of course be treated.

“With colder weather expected, the council felt it was important to inform residents of the changes as quickly as possible”.