Winter transport contract for Newcastle council

Newcastle City Council has signed a contract with leading transport company Colas Ltd to keep the city moving during winter weather.

The council argues that is is ‘not financially or physically possible for local authorities to grit every road within their boundaries’. With grit prioritised and spread on major routes, equalling approximately 32 per cent of the road network in Newcastle, a new fleet of gritters will spread grit along nine principal gritting routes, and snow will be cleared along six routes in the event of significant snow fall.

Colas, which also has a contract with Northumberland County Council to provide weather forecasting, will treat Newcastle city’s roads with salt when there is the threat of ice or frost and clear snow when required to do so.

Nick Kemp, cabinet member for Neighbourhoods and Regulation, said: “It’s very important that when winter weather does eventually arrive we have the capacity to keep the city moving. Not only is this important for our economy but also for the benefit of the public who come to Newcastle whether it be to work, shop or even enjoy the night-time economy. Colas have a lot of experience in gritting and boast a fleet of state-of-the-art gritters. I am confident that with forecasting from our partners in Northumberland, the city’s roads will be treated in good time allowing people to go about their business.”