The service provided within Falkirk Council will be based partly on the class of road but mainly on the Road's importance as a traffic route both in terms of total traffic volume and the volume of public transport. A map showing road gritting priorities| can be found on the Council Website.
The priorities and the relevant road types and classes are defined below together with the relevant treatment standards and operational times.
Priority 1 routes
Within Falkirk Council the Priority 1 routes comprise the following:
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principal routes (in Falkirk these are effectively the A class roads)
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main urban traffic routes
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routes to main emergency service establishments
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major bus routes
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main routes to larger schools where these can be clearly identified
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Falkirk Council surfaced car parks
Treatment and times
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Precautionary salt treatment 24 hours per day
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Treatment of ice 24 hours per day
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Clearance of snow 24 hours per day
Priority 2 routes
Within Falkirk Council the Priority 2 routes comprise the following:
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identified roads of secondary importance as traffic routes and important rural routes
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main urban spine roads into housing and industrial areas
Treatment and times
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any treatment on Priority 2 roads will normally be carried out between 05:00-22:00 hours
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precautionary salt treatment on receipt of a specific instruction from the Duty Manager
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treatment of ice on receipt of a specific instruction from the Duty Manager
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treatment of snow on receipt of a specific instruction from the Duty Manager
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treatment will only be carried out on the Priority 2 road network when the general outlook (established from forecasts and other weather information) is that the prevailing ice and / or snow conditions are likely to continue to exist unbroken beyond 24 hours from the initial onset
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consideration will be given to rural routes which may not have defrosted in line with urban routes
Priority 3 routes
Within Falkirk Council the Priority 3 routes comprise the following:
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identified roads of tertiary importance as traffic routes
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lesser spine roads
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larger culs-de-sac within housing and industrial areas
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certain roads to less populated rural areas
Treatment and times
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any treatment on Priority 3 roads will only be carried out between 05:00-22:00 hours. No treatment will be carried out beyond these times
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no precautionary salt treatment
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treatment of Ice on receipt of a specific instruction from the Duty Manager
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clearance of snow on receipt of a specific instruction from the Duty Manager
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treatment will only be carried out on the Priority 3 road network when the general outlook (established from forecasts and other weather information) is that the prevailing ice and / or snow conditions are likely to continue to exist unbroken beyond 48 hours from the initial onset
Priority 4 & 4A routes
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these roads will be treated only in exceptional weather conditions and will require the authorisation of the Roads Manager
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treatment will deal with any remaining areas presenting greater difficulties than general and progressively move onto roads of lesser difficulty
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roads within this category and identified as presenting the highest level of will be categorised as Priority 4A
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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
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any treatment on Priority 4 and Priority 4A roads will only be carried out during working hours (deemed to be 07:30 – 16:00hrs Monday to Thursday and 07:30 – 12:30hrs on a Friday inclusive). No treatment will be will be carried out beyond these times
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no treatment will be will be carried out beyond these times unless in emergency situations and authorised by the Roads Manager or Head of Service