The Use of Farmers for Winter Service - A Code of Practice
2 Service Planning
Authorities are encouraged to consider how the use of farmers to provide supplementary winter services, in addition to the core winter services, can enhance the capabilities of the authority during periods of severe winter weather and improve resilience of the Scottish road network and infrastructure.
In Scotland statutory responsibilities are defined by Section 34 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 which requires that "a road authority shall take such steps as it considers reasonable to prevent snow and ice endangering the safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles over public roads".
Well-maintained Highways Code of Practice for Highway Maintenance Management is recognised as the benchmark for highway network maintenance for the non-strategic road network in the UK. Although compliance is not mandatory authorities who follow the guidance contained within, and develops winter service plans that follow the code are more able to demonstrate that they have acted reasonably in the discharge of their responsibilities under Section 34.
The Scottish Government published in 2010 'Ready Scotland' advice in parallel with the UK Government's 'The Snow Code'. The Ready Scotland guidance promotes the principle of 'self-help' by providing the public with advice on how to clear snow and ice from pavements, while protecting them from the small risk of negligence claims. This advice covers the clearance of snow and ice from driveways, pathways, and public spaces. This guidance is not applicable for the clearance of snow or ice from the roadway.
Authorities should formally approve and adopt policies and priorities for winter service, which are coherent with wider objectives for transport, integration, accessibility and network management, including strategies for public transport, walking and cycling. They should also take into account the wider strategic objectives of the authority[3].
In the development of the winter service policy authorities are encouraged to consider the option of utilising farmers and the scope of service that will be procured. In considering the option the benefits of utilising farmers should be recognised:
- cost effective
- located in remote areas which can be difficult to access from outside
- good local knowledge of the road network, road conditions and local weather conditions
- resources that can be mobilised covering a wide geographical area that would be difficult to replicate using existing operational depots
- equipment suited to working on difficult terrain and in poor conditions
- capability to mobilise and deploy quickly
- can improve the revenue streams for farmers and strengthen the rural economy
These benefits should also be seen in the context of the wider strategic objectives of the Scottish Government to promote social inclusion by providing opportunities for everyone to use the road network, and ensuring winter service regimes maximise access to the road network in support of communities across Scotland.
Following completion of a winter service policy review the operational management of farmers should be included within the authority's Winter Service Plan as appropriate.
In the development of winter service plans authorities should make an assessment of the required plant and vehicles to ensure that sufficient resources are available for the delivery of the winter service during severe and prolonged ice and snow. This should be compatible with the resilience standards adopted by the authority. The use of farmers will assist in achieving this objective.
When defining the scope of service consideration should be given to how the use of farmers may enhance resilience. Their primary function should be to support the winter service operations with ploughing and clearing of snow but thought should also be given to secondary roles. This may be in the form of providing support to the authorities' gritting fleet in maintaining the 'Minimum Winter Network', the deployment to maintain access to key infrastructure, provision of mutual aid, and in the support of the authority's resources during other severe weather events, as part of wider resilience planning.