The aim of this petition is to have Orkney Islands Council extend their existing Gritting operational times to provide a more effective salt/Gritting coverage and make our roads safer. I propose a starting time of 5am with additional nightshift cover as required during low/freezing conditions. These operational changes will help reduce the risks associated with driving in winter to many commuters and essential services throughout Orkney. Your emergency services such as ambulance, police, fire brigade, coast guard, etc. are put at risk driving in icy conditions. Many other valuable services are also affected such as home caters, taxis, buses, ferries and airport staff to name a few. With your help we could make Orkney roads safer in winter.

some of you reading this may think 'I don't drive so it doesn't affect me', but imagine you or a loved one requires immediate hospital care in the middle of the night (freezing conditions) and the ambulance takes twice as long to reach you due to the road conditions. This type of situation could have serious implications to the patient.

As for costs, each time a vehicle goes of the road various services are called to attend the scene such as the police, ambulance, fire brigade, road sweeper, etc. All these services have administration costs, call out charges, employee wages or treatment costs.

If we accept the cutbacks this year and don't inform the council of our concerns it will be classed as a success with the potential of being cut back further next year.

I personally would like to think that the safety of Orkney's residents and visitors is the highest priority