THREE stretches of B-roads are to be included in Ceredigion County Council’s list of roads to grit at a cost of £18,000.

Cabinet members agreed to add almost 20 miles of additional roads - the B4338C between Cwrtnewydd and Talgarreg, the B4570 between Manarafon and Cwm Cou, and the B4574A from Devil’s Bridge to the junction with the B4574B and C1118 at Cwmystwyth - to the winter maintenance precautionary gritting routes.

The routes have been added to the schedule as part of a change to the scoring matrix that decides which roads should be gritted.

Cabinet members said it would mean additional spending of £18,000 on grit but the authority would not have to respond following wintry weather, which could help to save money and officers’ time.

Cllr Dafydd Edwards, the highways Cabinet member, said: “In funding the three additional roads we wouldn’t be called out to grit during the day.

“We found that with these three additional roads we have been called out because of their position.”

Council leader Ellen ap Gwynn said she agreed with the decision to include the additional routes to the schedule. She said the introduction of a ‘high altitude’ score was overdue as part of the scoring matrix.

She said: “It is worth reviewing this. I know the road between Devil’s Bridge and Cwmystwyth has been considered for many years and I think it should be included as it’s at such a high altitude.

“It does make sense to bring in these additional roads without adding substantially to the cost.”

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