Gritters will be out and about across the Island’s road network during the early hours of tomorrow morning (Friday) for the first gritting run of the winter season.
Island Roads is anticipating low temperatures overnight, resulting in the fleet undertaking a salt run from 04:00.
The PFI contractor relies on several sources of information to determine whether the network requires treatment. They use a forecast supplied by a national meteorological service and they also receive continuous readings and information from 2 weather stations at Duxmore and Rowridge.
Each year the Island accrues 1,600 tonnes of graded rock salt, enough to cope with even exceptionally severe winter weather. The salt supply at Island Roads’ winter maintenance depot at Stag Lane has already been topped up and the fleet is ready to go having completed a training run last week.
Last year, there were 53 runs using 1,019 tonnes of salt across the Island’s 6 key routes. You can find out which roads will be treated at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/gritting-routes/.
Dave Wallis, Island Roads operation manager said:
“History shows us that the first frost of the winter can catch motorists by surprise.
“Please remember that while salting helps prevent ice from forming above -4 degrees centigrade, there are occasions where conditions mean that roads can still ice over, so please drive to the conditions and take extra care in freezing weather, “ Dave said.
Article continues below this advertisement “Remember too that not all roads are treated. The Isle of Wight Council determines which roads are treated in freezing weather and the focus is on the Island’s key routes (main roads and those connecting towns) as it is not practical or economical to salt every road. We apply grit to over 350km of road, which represents around 43% of the highway network.”
Not cold enough. Ground is still too warm.
Suddenly your a a professional forecaster maybe you could predict the forecast for the next week you absolute idiot.
Now then that’s not very nice to call Joe Bloggs a idiot, whether you agree or not. We all can have a healthy debate however it seems your IQ is rather restricted thus resorting to such a immature response. It’s not cold enough to grit the roads however the highways department or whoever is in charge of the roads are probably nervous due to the standard of driving we have here!!!.
I agree, however, when we really need it, the roads won’t be treated…
Incorrect. If the air temperature is cold enough Ice can form on warmer ground. You then are highly likely to have black ice, which is the most dangerous.
At least a bit of salt will help fill up the pot holes
I hear Wetherspoons are running out of salt. Good opportunity for the council to make a few quid as they have tonnes of it to waste…