Ready for winter: Gritting under way as temperatures drop

Teams at Rochdale Borough Council are ready to hit the road to tackle ice, sleet, flooding and snow this winter.  Gritting began last week and now eight gritters are on standby ready to help keep the borough’s main roads safe.

At the council depot on Princess Street in Rochdale there are over 4,500 tonnes of salt for spreading when temperatures drop.

The council are monitoring weather forecasts and road conditions, ready to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week when needed through to the middle of April 2019.

Staff receive regular weather forecasts designed to give information about road surface temperatures and the likelihood of ice, snow or flooding. This is monitored in conjunction with a computerised ice detection system, cameras and the council’s weather stations at Blackstone Edge and Middleton.

They also use automatic gritting technology – which spreads exactly the amount of grit salt required so drivers can concentrate solely on the road. ‘Autologic’ knows the borough’s exact road widths and ensures the optimal amount of salt is spread to maximise the treatments, meaning salt isn’t wasted.

Particularly hazardous spots can be set to automatically get additional salt.

Residents are being advised to make sure they are ready to deal with icy and wet conditions too as well as the simple things they can do to keep warm, healthy and safe during winter.

This includes making sure vehicles are ready for severe weather, that you have the right equipment to keep you safe, and know how to drive in extreme weather conditions.

You should also look out for elderly or vulnerable neighbours who may need extra help over the winter months.

If you live or have a business in an area which is prone to flooding, you can register with the Environment Agency for advance warnings of any flood danger. 

Councillor Neil Emmott, cabinet member for the environment, said: “Gritting is already under way with the recent cold snap and we are in a strong position ready for the winter period.  Almost 200 miles of roads are salted during one round of complete gritting – 50 per cent of the total road network in the borough, and there are up to 28 drivers on standby.

"Last winter the gritting crews helped to keep the borough moving in extremely tough conditions. As always people should remember that gritting is not guaranteed to always keep snow off every road. As each gritting run can take more than two hours, please be aware that roads may be gritted after the circuit starts. I urge everyone to reduce their speed and drive carefully if conditions deteriorate.”

When snow or icy conditions are forecast, gritting teams carry out precautionary gritting and snow clearing, with ploughs fitted to all vehicles when necessary. The council also has over 500 salt bins around the borough in areas where particularly difficult conditions exist.

Tips for driving in extreme weather:

• Allow extra time for your journey.
• Make sure you have enough fuel.
• Check your battery is good.
• Check your tyres are suitable.
• Carry a shovel in your boot.
• Carry a bit of rock salt (available from builder’s merchants).
• Don’t over-rev the engine or your wheels will spin.
• Use as high a gear as possible to improve grip.
• Build your speed up slowly on hills.
• Always brake gently and in plenty of time.
• Don’t block junctions or roundabouts.
• Keep more distance than usual from the car in front.
• Give cyclists more space.
• Keep a look out for pedestrians - particularly at zebra crossings, pelican crossings and outside schools.
• Push broken down vehicles off the carriageway - abandoned cars are one of the main obstacles which get in the way of snow ploughs.