Stockholm is implementing stricter requirements for snow removal contractors following a winter that generated over 20,000 complaints from residents about inadequate service. The city is also investigating the possibility of taking over some snow removal operations in-house.
According to official statements, Stockholm will require contractors to have more vehicles, better access to reserve machinery, and clear crisis plans for yellow, orange, and red snow warnings. Traffic Commissioner Lars Strömgren (MP) stated that companies have not been prepared for orange snow warnings, lacking sufficient vehicles and the ability to quickly scale up operations.
The companies have not been ready for an orange snow warning. They have had too few vehicles and lacked the ability to quickly scale up operations. That cannot be how it works,
"The companies have not been ready for an orange snow warning. They have had too few vehicles and lacked the ability to quickly scale up operations. That cannot be how it works," said Strömgren in a press release.
The city's traffic office is now examining the conditions for partially conducting snow removal in municipal operation. This investigation will determine which parts of snow removal the municipality could take over and the associated costs.
The latest winter has seriously damaged trust in snow removal that is entirely operated by companies. A possible way forward could be to introduce some form of municipal special force, with the aim of increasing the city's preparedness during extreme snowfall,
"The latest winter has seriously damaged trust in snow removal that is entirely operated by companies. A possible way forward could be to introduce some form of municipal special force, with the aim of increasing the city's preparedness during extreme snowfall," Strömgren added.
In the new procurement process, the city also wants to continue investing in salt sweeping of pedestrian paths to improve winter maintenance.