Wiltshire gritters preparing for cold winter months
Thaw Enforcement, Usain Salt, Sir David Attenburrrr will be keeping us safe over the winter
Final preparations for the cold winter months are being made by Wiltshire's gritter team.
Test runs are to be carried out over the next few weeks, with gritters Thaw Enforcement, Usain Salt, Sir David Attenburrrr expected to be seen on Wiltshire roads to ensure they're working correctly and for crews to familiarise themselves with the routes.
Last winter, the crews spread 5,000 tonnes of salt on 34,500 miles of the county's roads during their 46 deployments.
They'll be deployed again this winter when temperatures drop close to freezing.
Salt is usually spread on roads after the evening peak of traffic or before the morning rush, as late evening and early morning are the most likely times that frost and ice affect road surfaces.
The council currently has 12,000 tonnes of salt in stock across six storage sites in the county.
Weather stations positioned in key areas across the county will closely monitor the weather 24/7, providing real-time information to help engineers produce accurate forecasts, ensuring the gritters are sent out at the right time.
Footways (including pavements, cycle routes and cycleways) are only treated in times of persistent ice or snow, with a focus on footways with high pedestrian usage. The council maintains more than 1,600 salt bins located throughout the county, which are available for both residents and the travelling public for use on public roads and footpaths.
Cllr Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Highways and Street Scene, said: “We have a fleet of 24 gritters on standby, strategically placed in depots around Wiltshire – ready to take action.
“When the weather drops below zero, we focus on A and B roads as these are primary routes. However, we want to remind residents to not assume that a road has been gritted, and to always drive to the conditions as some roads are only treated during prolonged periods of cold weather.
“A commitment in our Business Plan is to have well-connected communities and preparing for the colder months is a part of this, as we want to keep everything running smoothly while prioritising safety.
“I’d like to thank our dedicated highways team who treat our roads in all-weather throughout the winter to keep our residents and road users safe.”
During winter, people can follow the council’s social media accounts for regular updates on the weather and road conditions.