Key Guidance and Legal Framework

1. Highways Act 1980:

   • Section 41(1A) places a duty on highway authorities to ensure, "so far as is reasonably practicable," that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice.
   • Section 150 allows authorities to clear snow if it causes an obstruction.

2. UK Roads Liaison Group – Well-maintained Highways: Code of Practice for Highways Maintenance and Management (2009):

   • Recognises that it is not feasible to treat all roads.
   • Encourages collaborative approaches, including working with local farmers and community groups to clear rural or hard-to-reach areas.

3. Local Government Association (LGA): Home | Local Government Association

   • Confirms that many councils work with farmers to help clear rural roads during winter.
   • Farmers may be contracted or supported with equipment (e.g. snow ploughs or grit spreaders) to assist in localised efforts.
     
   
   
4. Specifically in Scotland see "The Use of Farmers for Winter Service – A Code of Practice" this document was developed collaboratively by:

1. Transport Scotland
2. SCOTS (Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland)
3. COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities)
4. SoLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives)

You can access the full guidance here: The Use of Farmers for Winter Service – A Code of Practice (PDF)