We might be in the height of summer but North Yorkshire Council has rejected a host of requests from residents to grit more roads around the Harrogate district during the winter.
The council looks after one of the largest road networks in the country at more than 9,000km, with most routes in rural locations that can feel the brunt of cold weather during the winter months.
Council gritting crews are on call 24 hours a day from October until the end of the winter season.
For the 24/25 season, the council has allocated a huge budget of £8.3m for winter services on roads.
This includes gritting ahead of snowfall and ice to ensure that traffic can keep moving.
Each year, the council receives requests from residents and local councillors to prioritise new roads that could be added onto its usual routes.
There were 13 requests in the Harrogate area this year, with many related to roads in Nidderdale, including Careless House Lane near Brimham Rocks, Menwith Hill Road and Dacre Pasture Lane.
There was a request from a resident of Moor Close in Killinghall to grit the road as the resident’s son has a carer who visits daily.
Residents living in the villages of Laverton and Heyshaw also said they worry about being stranded during heavy snow.
However, the council’s Conservative executive member for transport Keane Duncan rejected all but one of the requests, arguing the current route priorities were appropriate.
A report did say that officers will check the number and spacing of grit heaps and bins on each of the routes before the start of the winter season.
The one request that the council will take a closer look at came from Cllr Andrew Murday (Liberal Democrat, Nidderdale), who asked that Trapping Hill to Pot Moor High Road near Lofthouse be upgraded to a higher priority route.
Officers said they would review whether the route could be added and if it could be considered for pre-salting in advance of difficult weather conditions.
You can see which roads the council plans to grit during winter using its interactive map here.
Marie Curie appeals for Harrogate volunteers this summer
Boroughbridge clinic celebrates hat-trick of industry awards
New day service for people with complex needs opens at Rossett School
Call for review after Allerton Waste Recovery Park misses targets for seventh consecutive year
Harrogate MP welcomes £2 bus fare cap but calls for further reforms
Yorkshire's biggest ever pug meet to be held at Harewood House
Bin fires prompt call for public to dispose of batteries responsibly
Knaresborough Mayor to open town's first padel venue
New award launched to find Yorkshire's best pub
Vale of York services given go-ahead despite "rape of countryside" claim
Traffic to use new A59 Kex Gill route for first time tomorrow
Annual Tour de Aky set to hit £10,000 target
Harrogate bus staff nominated for national award
Parking warning issued after Burnsall car park closes
Spire Harrogate Clinic earns top housekeeping award
Otley music studio launches six-week daytime courses
New guide helps families find free and low-cost summer fun
Much-loved Slingsby Gin becomes new Festivals' partner
Princess Royal to become Great Yorkshire Show President
Concern over lack of consultation ahead of Lifeline cuts decision
