The local authority has just published its 2022/23 Roads Winter Service Plan detailing a strategy to keep roads and footpaths clear during the colder months.
The document highlighted that the council is already facing an inflated bill for its winter operations due to the rising costs of gas, electricity and fuel.
It is feared that costs could escalate further in the event of prolonged extreme winter weather.
A report produced for the council’s communities committee, which takes place next Thursday, reads: “Due to the global increase in costs of many materials and supplies, it is anticipated that there will be an overall increase of approximately 15 to 20 per cent in costs to deliver the winter service.
“If the 2022/23 winter period is harsh then this could have a financial implication for the council.
“Officers will continue to monitor this.”
The report explains that the council has a network of well-established community resilience partners across the region. The council provides resilience equipment to allow communities to take direct and proactive action during the winter period.
This includes providing hand spreaders, appropriate personal protective equipment, small tools, a lockable grit bin and a supply of salt. Training is provided, access to weather prediction information is given, and regular communication with group leads is maintained throughout the winter period.
The winter service daily action plan will be uploaded onto the council website to give the public advance information on road conditions in the region.
The gritter tracking facility will be provided on the website again, giving up-to-date information for road users.
There are five operational depots from which winter service operations are delivered in Stranraer, Newton Stewart, Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Lockerbie.
A starting stock level of 50 days ‘routine’ precautionary salting is to be maintained at each of these depots.
