GRITTING ROUTES 2008-2009

Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 17:30pm

Weather information from Worcestershire County Council

Throughout this period of severe weather Worcestershire County Council has been keeping the public updated as to the situation regarding travel and services.

The current situation with regards to gritting is as follows

Current Grit levels (updated 17:15pm Thursday, Februrary 12)

We are now receiving regular deliveries of rock salt and are monitoring the conditions to ensure we grit as approriate.

Roads:

Drivers are being asked to drive with care, as even though a road maybe gritted, it doesn't guarantee that its safe to drive on at normal speed. Please be warned and adjust your driving accordingly.

A map showing our gritting routes is available.  (2.32 MB)

• Grit bins

Our Highways Team started to restock empty grit bins around the county with a mixture of ash and rock salt. from yesterday. However, gritting the roads will be our priority.

• Schools:

School transport is being provided as normal. If a decision to close a school is made, this will be at the discretion of the Headteacher based on their local area. Members of the public should listen to their local radio for reports on school closures.

• Day Centres

At present there are no plans to close any day centres. However, if road or footpath conditions are particularly icy near your day centre, please ring the day centre, Worcestershire Hub on 01905 765765 or tune in to your local radio station to check if it is open.

• Flooding

Due to the snow melting and the recent heavy rainfall, we are experiencing local flooding in the south of the county. Anyone experiencing problems with flooding can contact the Worcestershire Hub on 01905 765765 or visit the what to do in a flood website.

An update on road and Ford closures can be found by visiting our website.

• Radio station frequencies

BBC Hereford & Worcester 96,104, 104.4

Wyvern 102.8

The Wyre 107.2

Heart 100.7

Touch 102.2

BRMB 96.4

• Advice:

Visit the MET office website for weather forecast updates. People can ring the Worcestershire Hub on 01905 765765 for advice during the hours of 8.30am until 6pm.

Travel - We are urging people to travel with care checking the latest forecast and leaving extra time for their journey.

Communities - Please check on those relatives, or neighbours who may be vulnerable and alone.

Power - Remember to have your radio, torch, ready to eat food, bottled water and warm clothing to hand in case of a power cut.

Contacts - Remember to have key contact numbers close by e.g. Doctor, a family member or friend, your local Police station number and the Worcestershire Hub on 01905 765765.

Website - For more information on what to do in an emergency visit our Emergency Planning website

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Getting to grips with winter driving

Useful advice from Worcestershire County Council’s Road Safety Unit

The first rule is ‘be aware’ – driving conditions can change very quickly during a typical British winter.

In severe weather the best policy is to stay off the road altogether. However, if your journey is essential, a few simple precautions and easy-to-follow tips will help to keep you and your passengers safer on the roads this winter.

Maintenance checks

Before you set off, do you have:-

• Anti-freeze in your cooling system?
• Screen wash additive in your windscreen washers?
• At least 1.6mm depth of tread and the correct air pressures in your tyres?
• Clean lenses on your headlights?
• Properly working heaters and de-misters?

Making journeys

Planning your journey is vitally important in adverse conditions. Taking the following simple steps before you leave could prevent problems out on the roads…

• Ask yourself if your journey is really necessary – if the answer is no, or not sure, then don’t go!
• Check the local weather forecast.
• Check the driving conditions on your route with your local radio station or local highways authority – see the contact numbers below.
• Take extra equipment with you, eg. Mobile phone, spade, towrope, torch, hot drink, warm and highly visible clothing and spare pieces of old carpet to place under your wheels for traction in case you get stuck in snow.
• Make sure that someone at your destination is expecting you at a certain time.
• Ask yourself once again if your journey is really necessary – if the answer is no, or if you’re still not sure, then don’t go!

Adjust your driving to the conditions

Driving on ice or snow, and even on gritted roads, needs extra care…

• Use dipped headlights and drive more slowly than usual.
• Allow up to ten times your normal stopping distance.
• Keep your distance from vehicles ahead of you and slow down in fog.
• To avoid skidding, brake very gently or ease off the accelerator early.
• If you have to abandon your vehicle try not to block the road – snow-ploughs, gritters and emergency vehicles may need to come past.
• Keep spectacles, sunglasses and windscreens clean – the sun is lower in the winter sky and can cause glare.
• Do not attempt to drive through deep flood water.

Warning

Extreme caution should be exercised at all times when driving in severe or adverse weather conditions irrespective of whether a road has been gritted or not – it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

The Facts

The Winter Maintenance team has a fleet of 31 gritters, 7 small demountable gritters and 2 small snow blowers.

Up to 12,000 tonnes of salt can be used in one full gritting season.

Over 1,300 of Worcestershire’s roads are treated in each full gritting exercise

Weather stations around the county measure road and air temperatures, wind speed, precipitation and humidity to predict the conditions.