A RAPID deployment force of mini-ploughs could help keep Wrexham town centre free of ice and snow.
In the wake of last winter, which was the worst on record since 1978, the council has been looking at the way it keeps open roads and pavements when the big freeze strikes.
A report to be considered by the council’s executive board next Tuesday, says one measure being considered is using the four quadbikes, currently only used for parks and grounds maintenance during the summer, for snow shifting in the winter.
Dave Culpit, the council’s service delivery manager for streetscene, said: “The quadbikes could easily be adapted for this purpose by fitting a fibreglass plough at the front.
“They could be used on roads and pavements in town centres, such as Wrexham, Rhos and Coedpoeth, and in large shopping areas where full-size ploughs cannot go.
“They would be used on a one-off basis whenever conditions dictated.
“They are already used on the Continent very successfully.”
Mr Culpit said that with 37 days of continuous icey conditions last winter Wrexham’s supply of gritting salt had come under severe pressure.
The council currently had the capacity to store 4,000 tonnes of salt but last winter had used 7,500 tonnes. It was now looking at increasing storage to 7,000 tonnes.
Also being considered, he said, was increasing the number of weather monitoring stations from three to five to give a more accurate forecast of when and where snow and ice will strike.
Another plan was to look at the borough’s priority gritting routes in a bid to make them as efficient as possible.
Also under review will be the location of salt bins across the borough, which residents use to put down their own grit when roads become iced up.