Key Points
- Bolton Council will lease nine winter maintenance vehicles, including eight 18,000kg GVW gritters and one 7,500kg GVW gritter, for the forthcoming winter season.
- The leasing arrangement is part of comprehensive preparations to ensure roads and public safety during adverse winter weather.
- The council emphasises compliance with statutory duties outlined in the Highways Act 1980 and the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 in providing a robust winter service.
- Council gritting fleet is on 24-hour standby from October to April, covering 510km of key highway routes.
- Decision-making and operational responsibilities sit with the Assistant Director for Highways and Engineering, supported by winter duty managers and operational staff.
- Lease is structured to include ongoing vehicle maintenance as part of the contract.
- The Winter Service Policy undergoes pre-, mid-, and end-of-season reviews to ensure continual improvements.
- The council consults with residents and stakeholders and provides public information campaigns on winter safety and readiness.
- The initiative is supported by public engagement events in partnership with agencies such as Greater Manchester Police and British Red Cross.
- The measure is financed within budget plans, intended to balance service resilience and financial efficiency.
Bolton Council is intensifying its winter readiness efforts by leasing nine new winter maintenance vehicles for the upcoming season, guaranteeing vital transport networks in the borough remain safe, accessible, and resilient amid potential severe weather. This strategic investment is central to the council’s statutory obligations and public service commitment, ensuring a robust winter response that protects residents and keeps Bolton moving through snow and ice.
Why is Bolton Council Leasing New Winter Maintenance Vehicles?
As detailed in the latest committee report available from Bolton Council, the local authority will lease eight 18,000kg Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) gritters alongside a 7,500kg GVW gritter vehicle, all dedicated to winter maintenance, with ongoing maintenance included in the agreement. This procurement is an integral component of a broader winter preparation strategy to ensure that, come inclement weather, essential routes and public spaces are aptly serviced and secured.
In line with the Bolton Council Winter Service Policy 2022–2025, the aim is not only legislative compliance but also a proactive service improvement, adapting best practice raised in national guidance documents such as “Delivering Best Value in Highway Maintenance” and “Well Maintained Highways”.
How Does the Fleet Support Public Safety During Winter?
The leased vehicles form the backbone of Bolton Council’s winter service delivery. As stated in the official council documentation, gritters are deployed primarily to maintain 510km of main traffic routes, a network representing 51% of Bolton’s entire road system, including classified roads, most bus routes, crucial through-routes, and access to emergency service premises. The gritting fleet is operational from October through April and is available around the clock.
Commenting on the importance of preparedness, as reported by Bolton Council’s Communications Team during a recent public engagement event, Cabinet Member for Highways, Cllr David Chadwick, emphasised:
“Everything from safety tips to flood advice will be available at the event … We want to help people prepare themselves for when the colder weather hits”.
This message follows earlier council advice highlighting the significance of practical readiness, such as vehicle maintenance and emergency travel planning.
Who Manages and Oversees the Council’s Winter Service Operations?
Bolton Council’s Winter Service Policy clearly articulates operational responsibilities: the Assistant Director for Highways and Engineering holds overall responsibility for implementing policy, while the Service Manager (Operations) within the same department manages the day-to-day deployment. In operational terms, a Senior Engineering Manager and two Service Managers act as winter duty managers during the peak risk period from October to March, overseeing frontline staff and coordinating the deployment of gritting vehicles as required.
Stakeholder engagement is also a key principle—encompassing elected members, residents, businesses, and wider organisations with interests in Bolton’s highway network.
What Legal and Statutory Duties Guide the Winter Maintenance Arrangements?
The legal obligations facing Bolton Council are set out in the Highways Act 1980, specifically Section 41(1A), as updated by the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003. The authority must
“ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice”.
The council underscores that, while it cannot feasibly clear every road and footway simultaneously or maintain all surfaces ice-free at all times, it endeavours to do its utmost to minimise risk and disruption.
How is the Leasing Contract Structured, and What Are Its Financial Implications?
The council has opted for leasing over outright purchase to achieve both operational flexibility and fiscal prudence. The contract includes full servicing and maintenance, ensuring the vehicles remain functional throughout their lifespan while balancing the need for value for money.
According to official budget proposals, such measures fall within the council’s broader efforts to maintain frontline services amid challenging financial circumstances, with an emphasis on resilience and cost-effectiveness. Consultations have attracted a broad spectrum of responses, with residents and business groups engaging in dialogue over the prioritisation of council spending and maintenance services.
What Steps Does Bolton Council Take for Public Engagement and Education During Winter?
As reported by the council’s Communications Team, significant emphasis is placed on public engagement. Annual events such as ‘Get Ready for Winter’ provide a platform where residents access advice on cold weather safety, home energy use, vehicle tips, healthy eating on a budget, and more. This event also sees collaboration from key partners, including Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire, North West Ambulance Service, the Environment Agency, and local charities.
Educational materials underscore the council’s number one tip for winter: prepare. Being prepared, states the council’s expert advice team, is key to staying warm and well, with proactive guidance shared before weather conditions deteriorate.
How Will Ongoing Review and Improvement Take Place?
In accordance with the council’s Winter Service Policy, a cycle of pre-season, mid-season, and end-of-season reviews are conducted by the Winter Service Team. This systematic approach involves decision makers, duty officers, and frontline staff, ensuring lessons learned are carried into future practice and that responsiveness to changing weather patterns and operational experience remains a priority.
What is the Broader Context of Winter Maintenance in Bolton?
Bolton’s challenging topography and extensive network of roads (over 1,000km of carriageways and 1,530km of footways) amplify the logistical demands of winter maintenance. As described in the policy, while it is not possible to guarantee all roads and pathways are free of hazards at all times, the council aims to focus on designated key routes, informed by statutory duty and feedback from residents.
Gritting vehicles are on standby every winter night, as confirmed in council news updates:
“Council gritters have been working overnight to deal with the snow and ice in Bolton. The council’s fleet of 7 gritting vehicles went out”
to treat affected networks.
How is the Council Coordinating With Partner Organisations?
Bolton Council’s winter readiness initiatives are not delivered in isolation. Regular public safety events, as detailed in official news releases, include the involvement of emergency services, health organisations, and voluntary agencies such as the British Red Cross and Bolton Mountain Rescue Team. These joint efforts focus on ensuring continuity of essential services and improving community resilience.
What Guidance is Available for Residents During Severe Weather?
Residents can regularly access updated guidance detailing service disruptions due to snow, advice on avoiding unnecessary travel, and basic safety precautions such as carrying a torch and first-aid kit during extreme conditions. Seasonal reminders are issued via the council website and community events, ensuring that both practical advice and statutory information reach a broad audience.
Bolton Council’s decision to lease nine new winter maintenance vehicles demonstrates a commitment to both fulfilling statutory responsibilities and serving the community in the most challenging months. The arrangement—rooted in legal duty, operational planning, stakeholder engagement, and continual review—aims to ensure Bolton’s road network remains safe and accessible throughout winter. With dedicated personnel, ongoing public information campaigns, and robust vehicle support, the council is poised to meet the demands of the coming season with resilience, transparency, and public safety at the forefront.