Warwickshire’s highway teams gear up for more snow
Warwickshire’s highways teams are gearing up for a busy week with snow already falling and more forecast over the next few days.
The county’s fleet of 33 gritting lorries and snow ploughs have been in action over the weekend, and teams were called out at 3am and 6am this morning to try and ensure roads were passable this morning.
This winter has been notably colder than many with 48 precautionary evening grits so far this winter, compared to a seasonal average of around 40 grits. Each time 250 tonnes of salt are put down each night on the highway network to help make road journeys safe as possible.
Warwickshire County Council’s County Highways operates the fleet of vehicles from seven depots across the county in order to ensure the essential gritting operations are carried out with minimal delay.
Andrew Savage, the county council’s Operational Maintenance Activity Manager, said: ”We advise drivers to take extra care in snow conditions particularly when approaching junctions. If the falls are heavy we advise people only to make essential journeys. Listen to the radio or watch TV bulletins to be aware of the conditions for your journeys.”
Regular updates on weather and highway conditions are being reported to local radio stations. For advice on winter driving see http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/roads
The snow clearing activities are being provide by Carillion Road Maintenance contractors.
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, as this indicates that salt is being spread. On narrow streets in towns please avoid parking on paths, which can block the route of gritters.”