Falkirk Council

The service provided will be based largely on the importance of the footway as a pedestrian route both in terms of pedestrian volumes and the importance of the destination.

The priorities and the relevant footway types are defined below together with the relevant treatment standards and operational times.

Priority 1 footways

Footway type

Within Falkirk Council the Priority 1 footways comprise the following:

• main town and village shopping areas and centres of high pedestrian usage
• pedestrian precincts
• certain routes to schools
• main access routes to hospitals and clinics
• identified public buildings
• sheltered housing complexes
• steps and ramps to underpasses and footbridges
• any 'low level' footpaths associated with the underpasses
• the footbridge decks
• footways within Falkirk Council Pay and Display car parks

Treatment and times

• Precautionary salt treatment only on a specific instruction from the Duty Manager.
• Treatment of ice only on a specific instruction from the Duty Manager.
• Clearance of snow on a prioritised basis depending on conditions and resources available and only on a specific instruction from the Duty Manager.

Priority 2 footways

Footway type

Within Falkirk Council the Priority 2 footways comprise the following:

• busy urban links between shopping centres and commercial areas
• Main pedestrian routes in major housing developments
• main access routes to sheltered housing and residential homes
• identified day centres for older people or people with special needs
• Falkirk Council Surfaced non pay-and-display car parks.

Treatment and times

Any treatment on Priority 2 footways will normally be carried out during working hours (deemed to be 07:30-15:30 hours Monday to Friday inclusive).

• No precautionary salt treatment.
• Treatment of ice, in so far as is practicable, only on a specific instruction from the Duty Manager.
• Clearance of snow, in so far as is practicable, on a prioritised basis depending on conditions and resources available and only on a specific instruction from the Duty Manager.
• Treatment will only be carried out on the Priority 2 footway network when the outlook established from forecasts and other weather information, is that the prevailing ice and / or snow conditions are likely to continue beyond midday 24 hours after the initial onset.

Priority 3 footways

Footway type

Within Falkirk Council the Priority 3 footways comprise the following:

• one footway along the Priority 1 carriageway gritting route within built up areas, which best serves pedestrian traffic and/or serves the most premises.

Treatment and times

• Any treatment on Priority 3 footways will only be carried out during working hours (deemed to be 07:30-15:30 hours Monday to Friday inclusive). No treatment will be will be carried out beyond these times.
• No precautionary salt treatment.
• Treatment in severe ice and/or snow conditions, in so far as is practicable, on a prioritised basis depending on conditions and resources available and only on a specific instruction from the Duty Manager.
• Treatment will only be carried out on the Priority 3 footway network when the outlook established from forecasts and other weather information, is that the prevailing ice and / or snow conditions are likely to continue beyond midday 48 hours after the initial onset.

Priority 4 footways

• These footways will be treated only in exceptional weather conditions. Treatment will require the authorisation of the Roads Manager (Corporate and Commercial).
• Treatment will deal with any remaining areas presenting greater difficulties than general and progressively move onto footway or footpaths of lesser difficulty.
• A halt to this treatment may be called at any time if, for example, actual or forecast conditions improve or for logistical reasons.

Treatment and times

• Any treatment on Priority 4 footways will only be carried out during working hours (deemed to be 07:30-15:30 hours Monday to Friday inclusive). No Treatment will be will be carried out beyond these times.