December 1, 2010 3.12 pm This story is over 159 months old

Gritters struggle against snow battle

Gritter problems: Gritters are working hard to ease the weather situation, but are facing limits on what they can do.

Lincolnshire County Council’s gritting and ploughing teams are trying to keep on battling the snow, but are warning of their limitations in the “overwhelming” snow.

The gritters have so far salted and ploughed over 3,000km of priority routes, with some secondary routes added over the last 24 hours.

However, the county council warns that there is only so much the efforts can do.

Assistant Director for Highways and Traffic Paul Coathup said: “Tireless efforts have and continue to be made on our roads in attempts to keep traffic moving, and we thank everyone for their patience and understanding.

“We are making a difference out there, combined with help from colleagues at Fire & Rescue, District Councils, Lindum and other local contractors and farmers.

“However, despite this, it is simply impossible to keep fully on top of conditions and avoid considerable problems for motorists. On Tuesday night in particular, we were overwhelmed by conditions.

“Having treated the roads prior to rush-hour, heavy snow then fell on top of that salt, making it practically inefficient, with rush-hour traffic then compacting the snow onto the frozen road surface by the traffic trying to get through and out of the City.

“Exhaustive efforts were made to get traffic moving again and the roads have been treated constantly since.

“As well as issues with gritters reaching problem-areas, salt doesn’t work by itself – it requires the action of flowing traffic to mix it with the snow to form a brine. It also becomes ineffective as temperatures near -8.”

The council is receiving offers of help from various businesses, and encourages any organisation who can help clear snow to contact them on 01522 782070.

Coathup added: “I would advise that anyone […] does not travel or make any journeys unless absolutely necessary and […] keep abreast of any roads that are closed, as we are expecting further potentially significant snowfalls today.

“I would like to assure the public that we are doing all we possibly can, but expect to be met with challenging conditions once more.”

Source, Photo: LCC