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Gritting teams remain on standby over
Christmas
THOUGHT we are now in the Christmas
period and a seasonal shutdown of many services, residents can be assured that
when it comes to tackling any severe winter weather conditions we may encounter,
Wirral's gritting team are very much still on duty.
The Council's highways partner, BAM Nuttall, has staff on standby to take to the
roads should temperatures drop and ice or snow threaten people's safety and
ability to travel over the Christmas holidays.
Wirral Council's impressive salt dome on Cleveland Street in Birkenhead is well
stocked and there are 10 full size gritters and 4 'mini gritters'
ready to treat the roads if necessary.
Cllr Stuart Whittingham, Cabinet member for Highways and Infrastructure, said:-
"It's vitally important that residents are able to go about their business
safely and quickly, particularly at this time of year. Our winter service plan
has now been in place for more than 6 weeks and will remain operational until at
least 3 April 2017, with weather conditions being monitored around the clock and
a highways manager on duty ready to make the call to send out the gritting
crews. They have already been called upon on numerous times to treat roads
affected by freezing temperatures and they are ready to do so again whenever
needed, even over the holiday period."
So far this winter, crews have already made 17 gritting rounds, using 765 tonnes
of salt.
Gritting routes are numbered one to 10 and cover the main roads in the borough.
The routes have been designed so that each can be covered in around 3 to 5
hours. There are a further four routes that are unsuitable for larger gritters
which are covered instead by the mini gritting vehicles.
In addition to gritting the key routes as described, in the event of adverse
weather, decisions on whether to treat other areas; such as hilly side roads,
car parks, pavements and shopping areas; will be taken by the duty highways
manager.
Grit bins provided at many locations across the borough should be stocked ready
to residents to use to treat problem pavements and pedestrian areas, as well as
minor roads that aren't covered by the regular gritting routes.
Full details of the winter service plans; including the major gritting routes;
can be found
online.
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