DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL GRITTING POLICY
January 8, 2010 1:45 PM
DEVON County Council says that its salt stocks are being prudently managed as long range forecasts show that freezing conditions are set to continue next week. The prolonged cold spell has seen salt stocks depleted across the country at a much faster rate than usual.
Devon has used around 17,000 tonnes of salt already this winter, which is fast approaching the figure for the whole of last winter of more than 20,000 tonnes. It also far exceeds the amount used during an average winter of between 10-12,000 tonnes.
The county still has around a third of its winter stocks remaining with around 6,000 tonnes of salt, and 3,500 tonnes of grit. That's enough to salt the county's primary roads for a further ten days at the current rate of treatment.
The County Council is concentrating its efforts on keeping the main routes across the county clear, more than 1,700 miles or 20% of Devon's road network. The major routes are currently passable with care and will continue to be the priority if it snows again at the weekend.
Road temperatures of -7 are forecast overnight and Devon's entire fleet of gritters are out in force again this this evening, and again at 5am tomorrow morning. Inspections will also be carried out to ensure snow is not drifting on major routes.
Devon County Council is responsible for 8,000 miles of roads - the biggest network of any local authority in the country, and therefore minor roads and estate roads will not be treated. Grit bins are being refilled regularly with grit wherever possible to help people treat their local roads.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: "This on-going weather is the worst its been in decades, and our highways teams are doing everything possible in what are extremely testing circumstances. Major roads are our priority and will continue to be so, but we will replenish grit bins when we can. Our highways staff are very busy, and salt and grit is not available from our depots, so members of the public are asked not to turn up at our depots. Grit bins are available for residents to use on public roads and pavements, not driveways. Only small amounts of grit and salt are needed to be effective but people must think of others when they use the grit bins."
Motorists are being reminded of the following advice:
• Avoid travel unless absolutely essential, especially at night as roads will always be more hazardous at night with less traffic and colder temperatures;
• Never assume a road has been salted - remember that showers or rain can wash salt off roads leaving them prone to ice. In very cold weather even salting will not stop ice from forming;
• If you have to travel, take an emergency kit in your car (shovel, blanket, hot drink, torch, de-icer, boots, battery jump leads);
• Allow extra time for your journey and reduce your speed;
• Listen to local radio for updates on current conditions;
• Drive with care and according to the conditions and pay attention to changing conditions. Be ready to slow down and take more care particularly on bends and exposed roads.
For more information about Devon's road network contact 0845 1551004 or visit the website: www.devon.gov.uk/winter_travel
Alternatively for trunk road and motorway information call the 24 hour Highways Agency Information Line for live traffic reports (08457-504030) or listen to the latest reports online at www.trafficradio.org.uk
Also see:
http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/transportroads/roads/winter_travel/salting_the_roads.htm
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