Drivers warned to take extra care
Motorists and pedestrians are being warned to take extra care on their travels as the cold weather continues with temperatures falling below freezing again.
The winter so far has kept Warwickshire County Council’s County Highways very busy having to carry out 36 precautionary grits since the early cold snap in October.
On each of these grits 250 tonnes of salt is put down each night by a fleet of 33 gritters on the highway network to help make road journeys safe as possible.
County Highways operates the fleet of vehicles from seven depots around Warwickshire in order to ensure the essential gritting operations are carried out with minimal delay.
Many grits are carried out late in the evening and early morning when most people are in bed in order to help make the roads safe for morning rush hour traffic.
Andrew Savage, the county council’s County Highways Operational Manager, said: ” We advise drivers to take extra care in icy and snow conditions particularly when approaching junctions. We are expecting frosty nights until Thursday, and possibly some further snow flurries on Tuesday.
“The cold theme is set to continue for a bit longer but it does look as if a change is on the way.”
Carillion Road Maintenance contractors are providing the winter maintenance activities as part of their seven-year contract with the county council.
Andy Denman, Contract Manager, said: “We advise drivers to drive slowly and not too close to our gritting vehicles while the flashing lights are in operation that shows salt is being spread.
“On narrow streets in towns please avoid parking on paths which can block the route of gritters.”