Record amount of salt used on Tayside roads

Jan 5 2010 by Alison Lowson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THE amount of salt used on Tayside roads in 2008/09 was more than 50 per cent up on the previous two years, according to Tayside Contracts’ annual performance report.

The 26-page document reveals that winter conditions a year ago were “among the worst in terms of both temperatures and snowfall in decades.”

“An indicative measure of winter conditions – and the level of winter maintenance activity – may be taken from the amount of salt used in gritting,” states the report.

“Salt usage increased from around 30,000 tonnes in each of the previous two years to almost 48,000 tonnes in 2008/09.

“Salt stocks were under severe pressure for a few weeks as the Government sought to allocate supplies to areas in most need.”

But the annual summary adds: “By judicious planning and allocation of salt within Tayside, no shortages were incurred and a full service was provided throughout the season.”

The increased gritting activity was also reflected in the number of hours worked by staff on winter maintenance.

It showed an increase of 50 per cent compared to the previous two years – up from 37,000 hours in 2007/08 to 57,000 in 2008/09.

In a foreward to the annual report, managing director Iain C. Waddell notes that Tayside Contracts was set up in its present form at local government reorganisation in 1996 by Perth and Kinross, Angus and Dundee City Councils.

And it is “unique” within Scotland as a joint local authority trading organisation.

It employs in excess of 2,300 people, has an annual turnover of some £64 million and, since 1996, has returned in excess of £12 million to the constituent councils in the form of surpluses.

“The financial surplus in 2008/09 was sound, with the surplus of £1.09 million being in excess of the amount targeted for distribution to the constituent councils.

“This has enabled an additional £500,000 to be returned to the councils and a further increase in the general reserve fund retained by Tayside Contracts for future agreed use.

In 2008, the organisation implemented a revised and ‘equality proof’ pay and conditions package, which harmonised the pay and conditions of all employees covered by the Single Status Agreement.

“As with all other local authorities, the Single Status project was a long and arduous journey and the successful implementation of the revised pay system was a significant achievement on the part of all involved,” states Mr Waddell.