Highland farmers fail to respond to call to help with snow clearing

ATTEMPTS to recruit an army of farmers to help clear snow from rural roads across the Highlands has failed spectacularly.

Highland Council asked farmers to come forward and take on a contract to clear roads in their local areas in return for a payment, but only one responded.

In contrast, Aberdeenshire Council has a network of 123 farmers it can rely on to clear snow and spread salt on remote corners of communities cut-off by icy conditions.

Allan Henderson, Highland Council’s newly-installed community services chairman, yesterday admitted there was a “communication problem” between the local authority and farmers.

He acknowledged the council had failed to get the message across in the appropriate way.

“We did not do a good job of getting across to farmers exactly what we meant when we asked them to help out,” he said.

“Farmers are probably out there thinking they have to have huge snowploughs and equipment that costs huge money.

“They’re clearly not going to have access to that kind of kit. But most farmers have all-terrain vehicles and if they’re able to tow a little trailer they can do some much-needed salting work. That would be a big help. We have to be able to get through to farmers. We certainly will be putting that message out again.”

Highland farmer Edward Mountain thought a problem might be that farmers were being asked to use their own equipment.

“In order to get around the problem the council and local farmers’ leaders should meet to discuss pre-dumping of equipment and supplies to allow farmers to work with communities for the mutual benefit of all,” he said.

“The fear is that I agree to do something and the council calls me out every time I’m trying to feed my cows when I’m under complete stress. Communication needs to be clearer.”

The failure of the policy is revealed in a report being presented to councillors on Thursday which rates Highland Council’s gritting service against those of comparable local authorities.

It shows that Highland roads are gritted for a shorter period each day during bad weather than in most other areas - a 6am start compared to 4am in Argyll and Bute.

However, Highland Council has more ploughs and targets its entire priority road network, rather than just selected routes.

Last winter the council operated 111 frontline gritters with three spares. It also had 48 mini-tractors for clearing ice from footpaths.

On most days it treated the entire primary road network, a feat not managed by many other authorities.

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