Volunteers are being called on to help clear snow and ice from High Peak's roads and pavements this winter.

Derbyshire County Council would like to hear from residents and farmers willing to help keep their communities safe when bad weather hits to supplement work carried out by the council's own gritting teams.

Town and parish councils, schools and voluntary community groups help to clear snow in their areas as part of the council’s Snow Warden Scheme. Each group is given a free delivery of up to a tonne of bagged grit and given training and advice on how to clear snow and ice safely.

Snow wardens get involved in:

• Clearing snow and ice from their community’s pavements
• Reporting local weather conditions through the council’s website
• Co-ordinating volunteers to clear snow and distribute grit
• Reporting empty grit bins.

Farmers and others with ploughing or gritting equipment are also being asked to work as contractors to help keep their local roads on the move from now until next April.

Anyone taken on as a contractor will get £250 for signing up plus get extra payments for call outs.

Farmers and contractors need to:

• Provide their own equipment
• Be available to work 7am to 7pm, Monday to Sunday – although extra help may be requested if conditions are particularly severe
• Arrange appropriate insurance
• Be able to respond to a call out within 90 minutes.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport, Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal, said: "With the warm weather we have enjoyed this summer it seems strange to be thinking of snow at the beginning of September, but we need to get ready for whatever the winter will bring.

“I’d urge any local council or community group to have a think about helping their local community by clearing pavements when it snows. And for any farmers who have the right equipment to help with clearing snow on our rural roads to get in touch.

“We do appreciate all the help we get when bad weather hits and would like to thank everyone in advance for what they do for their communities.”

Town and parish councils, schools and other community groups interested in volunteering can find out more and sign up by sending an email to snow@derbyshire.gov.uk 

For information about the farmers and contractors scheme, go to the council’s website at derbyshire.gov.uk/snow

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