Last year (as we all know), Derbyshire faced some of the worst winter weather on record. So this year in order to keep things running as smoothly as possible some help will be needed in order to keep some of the county's roads clear.
As a result the county council are urging all farmers with suitable ploughing or gritting equipment to get in touch. Farmers will need to provide their own equipment to clear snow such as plough, buckets, snow blowers or machinery capable of spreading grit.
The county council grits around 1,555 miles of roads - around half the roads it looks after. But extra help is needed to clear snow from roads highlighted on the county council's proposed new tertiary road network as shown at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/grittingconsultation (There is still time for everyone else to have their say on the county council's plans to change the way it grits Derbyshire's roads, the closing date for this is the 12th October 2011).
In severe snow help may also be needed to clear snow on the proposed primary and secondary gritting network and some other routes.
Farmers who are signed-up for the role will receive a guaranteed minimum payment of £200 - even if it doesn't snow.
Councillor Simon Spencer, Derbyshire County Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said:
"Unfortunately the county council can't clear snow from every road in the county. As well as bringing in extra income, you'd be doing your community a fantastic service in clearing roads which otherwise might be blocked during heavy snow. So if you think you might be interested in helping, we want to hear from you."
To register for more information or to download an application pack visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/winterhelp (opens in a new window).
The closing date for applications is 7 October 2011.
[Source: Derbyshire County Council]
See our related Blog Post: Join the e-Petition for NO MORE CUTS to the Winter Maintenance Budget which could impact severley on snow clearing efforts in our region.
