FIRST they tried to sugar coat the problem. Now council bosses in York may sell off their responsibilities to grit icy roads and paths in the city to a contractor.

City of York Council has tendered its highway maintenance services to outside firms in a move the authority says will aim to ensure "best value".

A report to a council executive meeting revealed that Alfred McAlpine was the prospective service provider with the highest evaluation score.

But no decision will be taken on whether to award the services, currently carried out by Commercial Services and costing £7 million a year, until January.

The council's contract has been split into two parts (A and B) with Alfred McAlpine coming out on top in both evaluations.

Amery Infrastructure Services has been identified as a reserve bidder. No contracts will be awarded in any case until Commercial Services has first been market tested.

While part A deals with street lighting and bridge works, part B concerns minor surface repairs, managing drainage systems and winter maintenance.

In recent years, the council has been blasted with icy criticisms from York residents unhappy with the authority's winter road policies.

In March, the Evening Press reported how just one week of severe winter weather had cost the city council a whopping £180,000.

This year, the council is using a product called Safecote - which is molasses based - to help salt stick easier to gritted roads, saving the council cash.

Coun Ann Reid, the council's planning and transport boss, said the authority had been considering this issue for 18 months and any changes would NOT affect this year's gritting programme.

"There will be no change to the way winter maintenance is conducted this year," she said. "At this stage, we are still evaluating the contractors. This whole process is about looking at getting good value for money and to help put the issue on a firm footing.

"We have not as yet made a decision and we will take our time."

Cold snap on the way

DRIVERS are being warned to take care on the roads as weather experts predict icy cold temperatures, gale force winds and snow over the coming days.

Strong northerly winds are expected to descend tonight, paving the way for "bitter" winter conditions. A Met Office spokesman said the winds would clear the mist and fog of recent days, and bring snow showers from the North Sea during Thursday afternoon and into Friday.

Updated: 09:13 Wednesday, November 23, 2005