Update - Snow Plough Know How

Farmers played a vital role last winter by keeping our rural roads clear. Charlotte Sealy has been reviewing how different highway authorities across the south west are looking to harness this essential rural resource.

To recognise the important role farmers played the HMRC adopted a pragmatic approach to the rules regarding red diesel use during recent periods of extreme weather. This means tractors on public roads clearing snow or gritting to provide access to schools, hospitals, remote dwellings, or communities cut off by ice and snow were entitled to use red diesel.

The Government has announced this week that a consultation will be carried out in the New Year on formally extending the use of red diesel to allow tractors to grit roads in rural communities. This winter HMRC is continuing to monitor the weather situation and will once again relax the rules should there be deterioration in conditions.

County highway authorities are responsible for the repair and maintenance of most public roads - excluding motorways and trunk roads which are the responsibility of the Highways Agency – but, as we all know, resources are increasingly limited and, as a result, often only arterial and emergency routes are addressed during wintery weather, leaving many villages and smaller communities struggling.

Following a series of mild winters over the past ten years, some councils have become rather lax in keeping their winter service management plans up-to-date and having spoken to all the councils in the region, there are clearly different approaches adopted by different councils. Farmers are extremely well placed to help clear roads, and although many have taken an altruistic approach to road clearing, further assistance is likely to be provided where assurance is given that costs will be reimbursed for labour and fuel. Wiltshire, Dorset and Gloucestershire have such a scheme in place; however, Devon and Cornwall have only been using licensed contractors. With localism so high on the agenda, perhaps this should be reviewed.

Modern agricultural machinery is better equipped than ever to assist in snow ploughing. With many tractors having front linkage as standard, no adaptation is needed to use a snow plough. Volunteers should ensure that their insurance company is aware of their activities. Some councils have said that volunteers clearing the roads are not liable for damage if they pay due care and attention... this of course is open to interpretation and it is best to inform your insurance company of any non agricultural activities.

Cornwall Highways Authority only use their in-house contractors to clear public roads, however, a trial project was set up this year in five susceptible rural parishes up on Bodmin Moor. The Council formalised contracts with Bodmin farmers in each of the following parishes: Blisland; St Breward; St Cleer; St Neot and Warleggan. The nominated farmers were then provided with salt/grit (but not equipment) in order to be on call following prolonged snowfall and paid on a predetermined rate. If the trial project had been successful, then it would have been rolled out on a wider basis. Unfortunately there were only eight farmers who signed up.  Jeremy Edwards, Business Compliance Manager for Cornwall advises that if parishes and local communities wish to become more engaged they should contact him direct. 0300 1234 222

Devon Highways Authority has a contract with SW Highways Ltd to clear the roads. There has been no formal relationship with farmers for over 10 years. Snow ploughs are not available to farmers and no compensation is available for fuel costs. Some parishes have appointed snow wardens but there is no coordinated approach to this.  Devon County Council plans to provide basic Health & Safety training to volunteering wardens. For further details, please contact Chris Cranstone or Andy Cole on 0845 155 1004

Dorset Highways Authority formally reviewed their rather dated, volunteer scheme in January 2011. The council contacting all members who were storing council snow ploughs and those farmers wanting to join the scheme. Payment for work is calculated by the formulae described below. For further details, please contact Martin Hill head of the Winter maintenance team  01305 221 000

Gloucestershire Highways Authority has an adverse weather plan. This ensures that each parish or town council has a nominated snow warden, with a nominated snow plough operator (farmer or contractor) who is provided with a snow plough. Training is available to operators. Payment is calculated by the formulae described below. For further details, please contact your local parish council. Alternatively contact Gloucestershire Highways on 08000 514 514 to request a copy of the councils handbook on snow ploughing. Kathryn.haworth@gloucestershire.gov

Somerset County Council has a five year Highway Service provision contract with Atkins. During adverse conditions; Atkins may subcontract work out to farmers at agreed rates. Atkins are liable for ensuring insurance cover etc, however the council are able to supply snow ploughs and blowers. This contract will be up for review in 2015. For further details, or a copy of 'Your Guide to Winter Service Somerset 2010/2011' which includes a map of the priority road network and how it's been defined, please contact South Somerset officer, David Peake (0845 345 9155) roadandtransportSD@somerset.gov.uk

Wiltshire Highways Authority snow control room is run by Sarah Peterson in Trowbridge who coordinates volunteers. A list of farmers who hold snow ploughs and blowers owned by the council is held by the council. The council contacts farmers during adverse weather conditions asking them for their assistance. Farmers are paid for work carried out on an agreed rate. For further details contact Sarah Peterson for further details sarah.peterson@wiltshire.gov.uk

01225 713 377

A number of the councils have adopted a payment formulae for farmers assisting the council in their duties to keep the roads clear. Normal and overtime rates

are set for different horse powered vehicles (hp). Rates tend to be amended each year and are tied to the formulae as given in the 'Priced Adjustment Formulae for Construction Contracts monthly Bulletin of Indices'. The rates are inclusive of, insurance, fuel and operator charges but exclude VAT. For an indication of rates used last year, please see the following table.

Normal Time  - 08:00am to 18:00 pm 

Over Time - 18:00pm to 08:00am