CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council says contingency arrangements are in place to ensure the safety of the travelling public as winter maintenance staff prepare to take industrial action.

Trade unions have asked their members not to carry out gritting on roads out-of-hours on January 5 and 6.

Two further periods of industrial action are also planned between January 17 and 21, and January 24 to 28.

Cllr Hazel Evans, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “The council made a formal agreement with the trade unions in 2020 to cover winter maintenance duties.

"The agreement recognised the valuable contribution our employees make and provided them with a remuneration package which is one of the highest in Wales.

“The council has adhered to the terms and conditions of the negotiated agreement and has always worked to support our employees to provide a safe road network for our communities, businesses and emergency services, as far as reasonably practicable.

“An increased offer was put to the trade unions to help secure the winter maintenance service. The offer is considered very reasonable and at the level of what the council can afford.

"Unfortunately, trade union colleagues have chosen not to present this offer to their members but have decided to ballot and implement a period of industrial action at this difficult time.

“These are extremely challenging times as COVID continues impact on communities and employee resource.

“The offer remains available to our employees and on the negotiating table with our trade unions. We hope that in the wider interest of our communities, our employees will give the offer due consideration.

“In the interim the council will implement its contingency plan to undertake gritting on a reduced resilient network.”

Carmarthenshire County Council’s winter maintenance service ensures, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe passage along the highway is not endangered by snow or ice.

To fulfil this duty, the council normally treats a primary network of 17 gritting routes along the main highways ahead of freezing weather, including 13 gritting routes along county roads (23% of network) and four trunk road routes. The resilient network includes the four trunk road routes.

Earlier this month around 70 gritters in GMB, Unison and Unite unions overwhelmingly voted for industrial action early in the new year. 

Peter Hill, GMB Regional Organiser, said: "Due to the intransigence of Carmarthenshire County Council our members now have no other option than to take action. 

"It's not something we take lightly but until they come back to the table, we will continue.

"It's a disgrace that a local authority refuses to follow a signed agreement, and then breaks off talks meant to resolve the problems.  

“No other local authority in Wales behaves in this way." 

Residents are being reminded to be prepared and to drive responsibly during the winter months, and in particular to be mindful of changing weather conditions.