Argyll and Bute Council will pre-treat up to 54.57% of its 2,300km road network during winter 2026/27, the highest proportion among Scotland’s rural local authorities. The winter service runs from 29 October 2026 to 15 April 2027, with a budget of £2.667 million.
Thirteen drivers short of minimum winter pool
Winter service, commonly known as gritting, requires a minimum of 72 qualified drivers to keep the network safe. A review in July found the council 13 drivers short of that number.
The shortage is ongoing despite efforts to recruit. Drivers are not dedicated winter staff; they come from multiple council teams including roads, waste, fleet and grounds. Recruitment challenges, workforce pressures and an ageing staff profile reduce resilience.
The council has arranged additional training and contractor support ahead of the season but has not disclosed how much of the gap has been filled since July.
Fleet covers 32 routes across mainland and islands
The winter fleet consists of 31 frontline vehicles: 17 hired gritters, 13 council-owned, and one contractor-operated on Jura island. Reserve vehicles are on standby during severe weather.
These vehicles cover 32 treatment routes, spanning remote mainland areas and islands. The council prioritises strategic routes, lifeline connections, emergency access roads and public transport corridors during prolonged severe weather.
Pre-treatment covers over half the network
Pre-treatment involves salting roads before frost or ice forms. Argyll and Bute’s policy commits to treating 54.57% of its adopted network, about 10% above the national local authority average.
Last winter, the council used 10,094 tonnes of rock salt across all treatments, including grit heaps and bins.
Pressure to deliver in a complex environment
Argyll and Bute covers diverse terrain including mainland communities and off-shore islands, which complicates winter service delivery. Councillor John Armour, Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services, said:
“Like many organisations, we are facing challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified drivers. We are working hard to strengthen our resilience, but it is important that people understand the scale of the operation and the pressures involved in delivering this service across such a large area.”
Key dates for drivers and road users
Winter standby begins 29 October 2026. Drivers working on rota will cover the network until 15 April 2027.
Drivers and the public can find detailed treatment information on the council’s website during the season.
For comparison, Aberdeen City Council’s winter service plan last autumn operated with a £1.6 million budget.
