The Island’s winter maintenance gritting fleet will be out and about this weekend (Saturday 26th October) for the annual ‘autumn parade’.
During the day, Island Roads’ winter maintenance team will be undertaking various activities to prepare the service for the cold weather ahead. This includes undertaking any required maintenance work to the fleet as well as drivers familiarising themselves with the new gritting routes and any changes in legislation or safety procedures.
Once again, salt stocks have been replenished and around 1,600 tonnes is in store at Stag Lane ready for use. These reserves can be topped up during the winter in the unlikely event more gritting material is required. Last year a total of 494 tonnes was used on the network during 26 runs.
However, as previously reported by Island Echo, some 30 fewer roads will be treated this winter. It has now also been confirmed that the gritting fleet comprises of just 4 frontline gritters this year, along with back up and specialist vehicles, but there were 6 frontline gritters in 2018.
The Isle of Wight Local Access Forum say they are ‘extremely concerned’ about the reduction in gritting routes.
Bespoke weather forecasting for the Island from the MeteoGroup helps Island Roads plan for freezing conditions, along with data provided by weather stations located at Duxmore and Rowridge, which send continuous readings to staff at Island Roads’ based at Daish Way in Newport. This information is always supplemented by on-the-ground visual inspections from Island Roads staff.
