Gritting teams ready for winter

Councillor Jacqui Beswick at the council’s Princess Street depot in Rochdale

The gritting teams at Rochdale Borough Council are ready to hit the road to tackle ice, sleet and snow this winter.

Seven gritters are on standby ready to keep the borough’s main roads safe during the worst winter weather but residents should also ensure they are ready to deal with icy conditions.

The gritting season started at the end of October, which is when the council starts monitoring weather forecasts and road conditions. Officers have been on standby since then ready to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week when needed right through to the middle of April 2016. At the council depot on Princess Street in Rochdale there are currently 5,000 tonnes of salt ready for when temperatures drop.

Residents can also take steps to make sure they are prepared, including making sure vehicles are ready for winter weather, you have the right equipment to keep you safe, and know how to drive in extreme weather conditions. You can also look out for elderly or vulnerable neighbours who may need extra help over the winter months, and especially during periods of extreme weather.

Weather updates, information on gritting, salt bin locations, service changes, winter facts, answers to popular questions are all available at www.rochdale.gov.uk/snow

Councillor Jacqui Beswick, Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment, said: “Every year we must ensure we’re fully prepared to deal with the harshest of conditions during the winter months. Gritting is only part of the picture and it is not guaranteed to always keep snow off every road. But when needed, our officers will work 24/7 to make sure main roads are kept clear. To grit local roads effectively, our teams often have to respond to changing, unpredictable conditions. Getting out quickly means we can counter some very difficult driving conditions promptly.”

“A sudden change in weather is not unusual and we urge everyone to reduce their speed and drive carefully when conditions deteriorate. Please also remember, during times of heavy snow many people experience difficulties, so if you can, please try and help others.”

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 authority also has over 500 salt bins around the borough in areas where particularly difficult conditions exist.

Peter O’Gorman, Winter Service Manager, added: “In a typical winter, we will salt or clear snow from the roads on average 145 times. Most of this is carried out at night or early morning and many people aren’t even aware of it. We cover the major routes including main roads that link townships across the borough, as well as all bus routes and access to hospitals. We use about 5300 tonnes of salt each year with a weekly usage report sent to our suppliers in Cheshire so that we can top up supplies when required. Gritting can only do so much so we recommend that drivers always check the weather forecast before they set out and consider if the journey is really necessary.”

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 stand-by.

The council is in direct contact with the Met Office and gets a daily weather forecast specifically designed to give information about road surface temperatures and the likelihood of ice or snow appearing. This is monitored continuously in conjunction with a computerised ice detection system and cameras, then if frost, ice or snow is likely the team hit the road.

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 the 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.