Gritters ready to roll as temperature plummets across the region
Tens of thousands of tons of salt has been stockpiled in the Black Country and Staffordshire in readiness for a drop in temperatures as winter sets in.
In Wolverhampton more than 4,500 tons of rock salt has been accumulated and nine gritters are on standby ready to be rolled out if needed.
Staff at Sandwell have prepared eight gritters, all of which can be fitted with a snow plough, and have just over 5,000 tons of salt in stock.
More than 20,000 tons of salt has been stockpiled in Staffordshire where the county council has also been putting its 40-strong fleet of gritters though their paces in recent weeks.
They were out in the county on Monday morning as the frost bit.
Temperatures and road conditions will be monitored from weather stations and a special team will make a call over when and where to send resources.
Gritters in Wolverhampton cover 239 miles – or 50 per cent of the city’s roads – each time they go out.
In Staffordshire, on routine winter days and nights, gritters will be focusing on the major routes and extending to the wider network in prolonged ice and snow conditions. The county’s hill contractors are also called into action on higher ground.
Staffordshire County Council’s highways lead Helen Fisher said: “Over the last few weeks, highways teams have been putting the 40-plus strong army of gritters through their paces to ensure they are ready to go when the bad weather hits.
“In the past we have had snow right up until Easter. Even this year, we had an unseasonal cold snap in April where the gritters were called into action, so it’s important to be prepared.
“On a typical winter day we will be out largely on key A and B roads, but in prolonged ice or snow we will be pulling out all the stops to treat less major routes across the network.
“Of course, every winter is a partnership effort. Our crews play their part, our community ice busters do theirs by clearing local paths and we ask all drivers to play theirs as well.”
“Regardless of whether a road has been gritted, motorists need to slow down, take extra care and allow more time for their journeys, as the most important thing is that we all get through winter safely.”
