Keeping Warwickshire's roads moving through the snow
Warwickshire County Council’s highways teams are continuing to work hard to keep the county’s roads clear.
Since the arrival of the snow, County Highways have been working day and night to ensure motorists have been able to travel on the main roads. Details of these routes are available on our website at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/snow
Gritting crews are currently out around the clock been out with snow ploughs fitted, having gritted the roads last night at 6.30pm and again this morning at 3am.
The focus on keeping the 1,760km primary routes as clear as possible and gritting other routes as resources became available.
Cllr Alan Cockburn, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment and Economy, said: “The snow has made the roads extremely treacherous but the county council’s gritters have covered thousands of miles to keep Warwickshire moving.
“County Highways have once again responded brilliantly to the demands of coping with the big freeze and the teams have worked all hours to ensure as many roads as possible have remained clear and safe throughout.
“I must thank their families, whose support is so vital at this time of year, because if the bad weather continues through the festive period the drivers will be called out to work over the Christmas and New Year period.
“May I remind everyone to please drive safely in wintry weather conditions. Make sure everything is working correctly on the car before you set off, take care at all times on the roads and adjust your driving as necessary.”
Around 5,700 tonnes of salt have been used on the roads and Warwickshire currently has 8,300 tonnes in stock and another 4,000 tonnes ordered.
Since last Friday (17 December) the Warwickshire crews of up to 60 staff have been out gritting 14 times. So far the county council has gritted 21 times this month compared to a December average of 14 grits.
Warwickshire’s highway network extends a total of 3,820km (2,865 miles). It is not possible to treat the entire network due to narrow rural routes, densely parked residential streets and resource constraints.
Members of the public can check our website http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/snow for updates and details of gritting routes.
The winter weather will cause potholes due to the freeze and thaw of the roads. To report a pothole call County Highways 01926 412 515.
Warwickshire County Council reports that its Household Waste Recycling Centres at Wellesbourne, Shipston, Grendon, Cherry Orchard, Burton Farm
Princes Drive have now closed for rest of day due to poor weather conditions. The sites at Judkins and Hunters Lane are open but under constant review.
Warwickshire’s County Parks remain all open for visitors.