|Home |  Text Only |  Bigger Text |  Smaller Text |  Default Text  

|A-Z |  Contact us |  News |  Events |  Jobs 

Search:

Ashfield District Council, in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council (the Highway Authority) grit roads when there is risk of ice and in severe weather, clear roads of snow.

Winter road conditions and weather information are continually assessed using the best available advice and technology. From October to April the Highway Authority and its agents (including Ashfield District Council) provide cover 24 hours a day, every day of the week, to ensure a prompt and effective response to weather affecting the highway network.

When significant amounts of snow fall, gritting, snow ploughing and other snow clearance operations take place. The main roads are cleared first, followed by the remaining road network. After main roads, priority is given to routes to hospitals, fire stations, ambulance stations and to at least one access from the main road network to all communities.

Great care is taken when applying grit to ensure that the appropriate rates of spread are used. The Council's winter maintenance vehicles are extremely powerful and have to distribute the grit across the full width of the carriageway. Drivers are therefore advised to exercise great care when overtaking.

When to grit

The Highway Authority has roadside weather stations and a link to the Met Office, which gives constant forecasts for the area. The Highway Authority uses this information to decide when to grit and the suitable spread rate required.

People often wake up to a severe frost, scrape ice off of their car and are then surprised to find that the roads have not been gritted. This is because action is taken on the roadsurface temperature being at or below freezing rather than the air temperature. Roads retain heat and do not cool down nearly as quickly as objects such as cars, and so frost on a car can be a misleading guide to whether gritting is needed on the roads. Gritting is likely when road temperatures are at or below 1 degree Centigrade, and moisture is present or likely to be present to form ice.

Frost does not usually affect road surfaces until late evening or early morning, so whenever possible gritting is carried out overnight and outside periods when traffic is heavy.

Remember! Despite all the Council's efforts and treatment of road surfaces, winter weather will still make them treacherous. You must be aware of the conditions, reduce speed, and drive with caution.

Winter Driving Tips

Icy Conditions

In icy conditions, or if you expect ice, it is essential to do everything more steadily than normal. Slow down if you suspect ice, steer gently and avoid harsh turns, braking or acceleration. Keep a safe distance between you and other vehicles, bearing in mind the conditions. Use the highest gear you can and if you have to brake use short, even applications rather than heavy sustained pressure.

Snow Conditions

In snow, one of the main problems is poor visibility so always use dipped headlights. Drive slowly in the highest gear possible and manoeuvre gently avoiding harsh braking and acceleration. Take particular care to watch for irregular accumulations of snow arising from snow ploughing operations and do not overtake snow ploughs by squeezing into partially cleared lanes.

Winter Sun

Dazzle from winter sun can be a severe hazard, so in these conditions reduce speed and use your visor.

Plan your journey

Before starting any journey during wintry weather conditions ask yourself:

Is the journey absolutely essential?

Can I use the bus or train?

Have I checked local and national radio/television/teletext for travel and weather information?

If it is essential to use the car in wintry conditions, ask yourself:

• Can I use gritted routes?
• Do I need to allow extra time for my journey?
• Are the windscreen wipers and lights working properly?
• Is the washer bottle full and does it contain an additive to prevent it freezing?
• Are all the windows, mirrors and lights clear, clean and free from frost and snow?
• Is the fuel tank full?
• Does anyone know where I am going and when I hope to arrive?
• Would taking hot drinks, food and warm clothing, wellingtons, torch and a shovel be a wise precaution?
• Again, is the journey absolutely essential?

Grit Bins

Ashfield District Council provides approximately 100 grit bins for public use, within the District. The council positions its grit bins at known locations that may present problems during prevailing snow and ice conditions. Residents and motorists are encouraged to use the grit bins within their local area. Requests for the addition or removal of grit bins must be made to the council for consideration, please contact us to do this.

PID Ref = 561
PID Ref = 562