During the month of December alone, the municipality of Piteå received an increased cost of SEK 800,000 - and then another two million must be added for fuel costs linked to the investment side.
- Society and the municipalities are facing a difficult time in the next one to two years, says Micael Kemi, street manager in Piteå municipality.
Must find new ways to work
The municipality receives targeted support in 2023, but it only covers about half of the increased expenses and instead ends up with a deficit of a couple of million.
Micael Kemi believes that the increased demands from society, as well as the fact that Piteå municipality does not have as much money as before, mean that new ways of working must be found.
- We have to work with more efficient working methods to be able to get the same results, but for less money, he says.
Urges caution in traffic
However, this has consequences for the residents of Piteå.
Among other things, they will not remove as much snow from residential areas this winter.
Especially in the areas where there is low traffic intensity.
It will not be plowed less often, but they choose to cut back on snow removal, which is the most costly part.
- If there is a lot of snow, it may mean that you have to take it easy with the car and try to meet at exits.
But we don't put our finger on accessibility and safety where there is a lot of traffic, says Micael Kemi.
Could this mean that the plow arms become higher and the visibility worse?
- Inside the quarters, yes.
In the clip: Hear street manager Micael Kemi tell how the increased fuel costs affect snow removal in Piteå.