The Lincolnshire Guide > News > Lincolnshire gritters adapt and vow to continue tackling ice

Lincolnshire gritters adapt and vow to continue tackling ice

In the face of further icy forecasts, Lincolnshire’s gritting teams are adapting to meet the increasing challenges of keeping traffic moving on the county’s extensive priority road network.

Although Highways teams are continuing with their round-the-clock efforts to salt, and clear snow, keeping traffic moving on Lincolnshire’s extensive priority road network is becoming increasingly difficult.  With forecasters warning of continuing severe weather, with temperatures dropping to below minus 8 degrees Celsius combined with possible blizzard conditions on Sunday, the county council is reminding everyone to drive with extreme care and that, below minus 6 degrees Celsius, salt becomes less effective.  At these low temperatures even the treated network will be prone to icy and frosty surfaces and extra care is needed while driving or walking.

In order to manage the use of the remaining salt stock, the authority is also spreading sand and grit on some roads to improve grip.

Paul Coathup, Assistant Director for Highways & Traffic, said:

“We have a reasonable, but quickly diminishing supply of salt at present. Not being complacent, we are taking positive action to ensure we are able to maintain the treated routes in a safe and useable condition for the duration of this extended period of exceptionally cold weather.

“This winter we have spread nearly 18,000 tonnes of salt.  Although we have over 5000 tonnes still available for use, our next delivery of salt is not expected until around the 18th of January.  To therefore ensure that we can continue treating the main road network until new stocks arrive, we are now having to grit in accordance with the national guidelines issued to all authorities during this period of extreme weather.  As this is below our normal spread rates, we are asking everyone to take even more care during this period on all roads within the county. As an aid in these extreme conditions, the gritters are now also spreading sand on the network in an attempt to provide additional grip."

Latest News

• Medieval Summer Fun at Lincoln Castle
• Michelin Starred Chef to Star at Food Festival Finale
• HRH Princess Anne officially opens the Meridian Leisure Centre
• The Collection an ‘inspiration’ as it wins Sandford Award
• New era for Lincoln's Theatre Royal

• Green light for Grantham marketplace
• 2010 Lincoln Summer Open-Air Theatre Festival
• Chairman rallies business leaders
• Coastal country park plans moving forward
• A knight to remember at The Collection