Information on Loughborough

Gritters ready to roll

Posted on 21/10/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Highways, Transportation & Waste Management

20 October 2009

Gritters ready to roll *** photo opportunity ***

Despite the recent good weather, the County Council's gritters are all set to treat Leicestershire's roads during icy conditions.

When required, 17 vehicles will be sent out to spread roughly 150 tonnes of salt each night, covering 1,200 miles of highway.

When it’s icy, gritting takes place along A roads, some B and C class roads, major commuter and bus routes and as far as possible, at least one route through all County villages.

Lesley Pendleton, County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “All our salt barns are stocked and the gritters have been checked and serviced. The first trial fitting of the snow ploughs is taking place on 1st November and our winter maintenance crew are fully prepared.

“In wintry conditions, the County Council aims to ensure the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians on the road network and minimise any delays and accidents.”

Although the County Council will grit 45% of the road network when it’s icy, drivers are still warned to take care and never to assume that any road is completely ice free.

In a cold winter, frost and ice usually appear across the whole surface of a road. Motorists are urged to drive carefully as braking distances can be up to 10 times longer in icy conditions.

To report a problem on Leicestershire's roads, pavements or streetlights please call 0116 305 0001.

A leaflet showing which roads are gritted‘’ can be downloaded from www.leics.gov.uk/winterdriving or a copy can be obtained from local libraries or Council Offices.

Photo Opportunity:

Gritters can be photographed at 9.30am on Wednesday, 21 October where they will be on display at Misterton (Northern) depot, just south of Junction 20 on the northbound carriageway of the M1.