Moray Council’s Leader and Chief Executive joined frontline gritting crews this week to see first hand the conditions roads teams face as freezing weather tightens its grip.
Moray Council Leader Kathleen Robertson and Chief Executive Karen Greaves were out with roads maintenance teams on Monday 29 December 2025, travelling on higher level routes including Dallas and Dunphail.
Before heading out, both received a detailed briefing on how winter road maintenance decisions are made, including how forecasts from the Met Office, air temperatures, road surface readings and salt quantities all influence when and where gritters are deployed.
They were shown how routes are prioritised, with emergency access and school transport roads treated first, before crews move on to rural and urban streets as conditions allow.
Out on the road, the pair witnessed the skill and concentration required to operate snowploughs and gritters safely, along with the technology used in modern vehicles which adjusts spray width to match road conditions and ensure full carriageway coverage.
They also saw behaviour from other road users that left them concerned.
Drivers are being reminded that when a gritter’s orange beacons are flashing, it is actively spreading salt, with the best results achieved at a steady speed of around 25mph.
Following the visit, Moray Council is asking motorists to be patient and pull in safely to allow gritters to pass, rather than forcing them to move over, which can interrupt coverage and increase risk.
Drivers are also urged to park responsibly during snowfall so gritters and snowploughs can access roads without obstruction.
Kathleen Robertson said the experience highlighted both the professionalism of crews and the importance of driver behaviour.
“Thank you to the gritter drivers who took us out and explained the process so clearly,” she said.
“I saw the best and the worst of drivers, with some waiting patiently and even flashing hazard lights to say thank you, which was great to see.
“However, one driver overtook on a bend into oncoming traffic, forcing our gritting driver to brake suddenly, which is not what we want when operating a 25 tonne lorry full of salt on a road below freezing.”
Karen Greaves said the visit was about showing support to teams working through the festive period.
“We wanted to show our support for our roads maintenance and on call teams at a time when many people are off work,” she said.
“The work these crews carry out literally prevents accidents and saves lives, and we should all be helping to make their job as straightforward as possible.”
Moray Council is reminding residents that winter road maintenance is a complex operation relying on skill, planning and cooperation from road users.
As colder conditions continue, drivers are being urged to slow down, plan ahead and give gritting and snowplough crews the space they need to keep Moray’s communities safe.
