Angus Council responded to last year's severe and prolonged winter weather with a record number of gritting treatments of the county's roads network.

The gritting regime started earlier than anticipated in October and ran through to the end of March, with the council recording its third highest number of days when the road surface fell below zero during the winter period.

Despite having a slightly increased winter maintenance budget of just under £2m in 2008/09 the prolonged and severe winter season resulted in a £611K overspend. A total of 16,011 tonnes of salt were used during the winter, 2000 tonnes more than is used in an average winter.

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Infrastructure Services Convener David May said the council's priority would remain the delivery of its agreed winter roads maintenance regime.

"Just as we did this winter we will follow the tried and tested winter maintenance regime to keep the county moving in the event of severe winter weather, which is vital for communities and businesses.

"Our winter maintenance teams did an excellent job this year during some of the worst conditions seen in the UK for decades, with the highest number of priority and auxiliary road treatments carried out since the council was formed."

He said this year's winter maintenance budget has been increased by £220k and is based on anticipated needs, although predicting the demands of winter weather is a difficult task.

"So as usual we will be keeping a close eye on expenditure as the winter progresses to make sure the necessary resources are in place to maintain the required standard of service," Convener May said.

(GK/BMcC)