GRITTING crews are set to take to Gedling borough’s roads tonight as temperatures continue to drop.
This year Nottinghamshire County Council has added new routes to cover the Gedling and Carlton which have hilly areas that are prone to disruption in severe weather.
Over 20 gritting vehicles are due to take to the roads from 7pm this evening as clear skies allow road surface temperatures to fall below freezing, allowing icy patches to form. There is also a risk of isolated wintry showers.
Tonight will mark only the 16th time this winter that the gritting crews have been out and only the seventh time this year so far, thanks to the prolonged mild spell.
However, this week’s dip in temperatures has seen the crews go out on six out of seven days so far.
The Council currently has 16,673 tonnes of salt stored in its four grit barns and is in a strong position to deal with the worst winter conditions.
Each time the gritting crews go out they salt, in total, 1,120 mils of A and B roads as well as major bus routes – one third of the county’s entire road network and equivalent to driving from John O’Groats to Land’s End.
The Council is also responsible for around 1,300 yellow grit bins which are positioned at sites which are exposed and severely affected by winter weather; where a junction hazard is present or where there is high pedestrian movements, especially near local centres or areas used regularly by the elderly, very young or mobility impaired.
These bins are kept topped up during the gritting season and are for use on roads and pavements – not private driveways.
