Information on Loughborough

Gritters ready to help during heatwave

Posted on 04/07/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Highways, Transportation & Waste Management

2 July 2009

Gritters ready to help during heatwave

Gritters are a common site during a cold snap but the County Council's fleet has been on stand-by during this week's heatwave conditions.

If very hot weather persists, rural road surfaces can soften, causing potholes and ruts. Roads can also suffer a loss of surface texture making them slippery when they cool down.

The vehicles have been ready to spread sand over the roads which binds with the bitumen and helps to stabilise it, minimising any damage.

Highway Patrols have also been available to temporarily fill any potholes if they occur.

Many rural roads across Leicestershire have evolved over the last 200 years from origins such as cart tracks. They have varying age, quality and durability compared to the more modern road construction found on the County’s main roads, towns and most villages and are particularly susceptible to heat damage.

Lesley Pendleton, County Council Cabinet member for Highways, said: “We have been keeping a close eye on the situation to ensure our roads are kept safe but would advise drivers to take extra care on rural roads whilst the hot weather continues.”

New national climate predictions have confirmed an increase in the occurrence of heat wave conditions in the future.  

Following an award-winning County Council project on climate change and highways, the authority has already started improving maintenance techniques including materials used, to minimise heat damage to our roads in the future.

Residents are asked to contact the County Council’s Highways Department on 0116 305 0001 or visit: www.leics.gov.uk/htwm_form_highway_defect  if they spot any defects that need reporting.

For details on the study of climate change on the highway, visit: www.leics.gov.uk/climate_change_adaptations.pdf