Gritters prepared for snow-mageddon

Alexandra Gregg • Published 17 Jan 2013 16:00 0 Comments

GRITTERS will be out in force across Bracknell tonight.

A double run of lorries will spread salt along the town's "primary" most heavily-trafficked routes this evening, preparing for the predicted onslaught of snow in the early hours of Friday.

Anthony Radford-Foley, head of highways asset management at Bracknell Forest Council, has been co-ordinating the gritters since 1998 and says the town has more than 2,500 tonnes of salt in stock, of which around 55 tonnes will be used today.

"We learnt lessons from the previous harsh winters where there have been national shortages," he explained.

"We'll be heading out around 7pm to get lots down before the snow arrives and that will finish around 10pm this evening. Our road surface temperatures are barely crawling above zero and I'm sure temperatures are going to keep dropping."

Mr Radford-Foley added: "Laying salt in itself isn't a cure, it won't remove snow, but it's all we have in our armory at the moment when it does snow. So people need to make sure they drive within their limits."

Trucks will spread approximately 40grams of salt per square metre tonight, to help combat the predicted a band of snow, which will be heavy in places, spreading north-eastwards across the southwestern half of England during Friday morning.

The Met Office has forecast an amber 'be prepared' warning for Berkshire, stating that the snow will last through tomorrow afternoon and evening across and that strengthening winds will lead to drifting of lying snow.

Accumulations of more than 5-10 cm of snow will occur quite widely, with 15cm in some western parts.

Motorists are advised to prepare for traffic disruption.

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This article appeared in Bracknell News 17 Jan 13

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