News

Roads are being gritted
advertisement

'Be prepared' warning as snow forecast for weekend

By Tim Tonkin
February 03, 2012

COMMUNITIES across Surrey and north-east Hampshire have been advised to prepare for possible disruption and treacherous road conditions as snow is forecast for the weekend.

The warning comes at the end of a week of frost and sub-zero temperatures, with other parts of the UK having already seen snowfall.

Now highways salting crews are urging motorists to take necessary precautions ahead of expected snow across the south east on Saturday and Sunday.

The Met Office said wet weather coming from Northern Ireland and western Scotland was expected to turn to sleet and snow, giving accumulations of up to 10cm across the region on Saturday.

This is forecast to be followed by icy conditions, with experts warning that untreated roads could become hazardous as a result.

Sunday could also see more snow and then "widespread icy patches", the Met Office said.

Local authority gritting teams are on standby, with Surrey County Council pledging to have an "army of volunteers" - including farmers with ploughing vehicles - ready to help keep roads open.

Hampshire County Council has 18,000 tonnes of salt reserves while Surrey has 17,000 tonnes at its disposal, a 30% increase on last year, as well as more than 40 gritting vehicles.

Mel Kendal, Hampshire's executive member for environment and transport, promised the authority had learnt the lessons of previous harsh winters, and that sufficient salt and grit supplies were in place to help prevent accidents and road closures.

He said: "We treat the main routes as a priority as these carry 85% of the county’s traffic and provide essential access to hospitals, large schools and other critical infrastructure.

"They are treated in advance to achieve the most effective results but many people may not be aware that once the temperature drops below minus five, the salt is less effective."

In Surrey, highways teams have topped up the county's 1,743 grit bins to ensure residents are able to treat roads and pavements as needed, with people being asked to check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours, friends and family as temperatures plummet.

David Hodge, leader of Surrey County Council, said that while all resources would be made available, it was vital that everyone pitched in with combating any adverse weather conditions.

He said: “Getting through any severe winter weather requires us all to play our part.

“The county council has been planning for many months to make sure it helps to keep the road network moving as much as possible, continues providing services to the most vulnerable and carries on providing grit for residents to spread in their community.

“But the truth is we cannot do everything. If residents and communities support us, things will be much better for the county as a whole.”

| Submit Comments | View Comments (1)