Council will keep city moving in bad weather

The City of Edinburgh Council says it will  keep the city moving throughout the wintry conditions forecast this week.

With freezing temperatures, snow and ice expected, plans are underway to minimise any resulting disruption.

Temporary traffic management measures, such as traffic signals, in place for inactive road and pavement works will be removed by the Council and public utility companies where possible, to allow the smoother flow of traffic. (If you spot any that are still there then do let us know!)

Gritting teams are out night and day treating and monitoring priority routes, while the Council’s severe winter weather tactical response team are on standby in case a weather emergency strikes. Certainly we spotted a gritter out on Monday evening on Broughton Street and Drummond Place ahead of the forecast for today.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, said: “Our priority is to keep the city moving whatever the weather, and our team has already been out around the clock ensuring roads, pavements and cycle paths are gritted and safe to travel on.

“In light of the latest forecasts we’re making arrangements to clear routes of obstructions where possible, opening up the network and making it easier for the public to get about during the cold spell.”

The 939 miles of roads plus additional pavements and cycle routes in Edinburgh are treated on a priority basis, with important principal roads, bus routes and roads and pavements leading to hospitals, care homes, schools and fire stations amongst those gritted first.

The public can find out about priority road, cycle path and pavement gritting routes by visiting the Council website’s live winter weather pages which include an interactive map so that residents can locate their nearest salt bin.

If and when severe weather strikes, the Council will use its social media channels, website and local radio stations to keep residents updated on any impact on services.