Grit and determination - ready to keep the borough moving as temperatures drop

Teams at Rochdale Borough Council are ready to hit the road to tackle ice, sleet, flooding and snow this winter.

The gritting programme started last month and seven brand new and more fuel-efficient gritters are ready to keep the borough’s main roads safe.

A total of 4,500 tonnes of salt is ready at the council depot in Princess Street for when temperatures drop. The council also has over 500 salt bins around the borough in areas where particularly difficult conditions can exist.

Forecasts and road conditions are constantly monitored with teams ready to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week when needed through to the middle of April 2023. Over 200 miles of roads are salted during one round of gritting – over 50 per cent of the borough’s total road network, with 20 drivers on continuous standby.

When temperatures drop and snow or ice is forecast, gritting teams carry out precautionary gritting and snow clearing, with ploughs fitted to all vehicles when necessary.

Staff receive regular weather forecasts with information about road surface temperatures and the likelihood of ice. This is monitored alongside a computerised ice detection system, cameras and weather stations at Blackstone Edge, Middleton Road and Edenfield Road in Norden, which record road and air temperatures as well as showing live roadside images. The seven new gritters also use automatic gritting technology – which spreads exactly the amount of grit required to help prevent ice from forming. This enables the driver to focus on driving and ensures salt is used more efficiently and not wasted.

Residents are being advised to make sure they are ready to deal with icy and wet conditions, as well as the simple things they can do to keep warm, healthy and safe during winter.  This includes making sure vehicles are ready for severe weather, that you have the right equipment to stay safe and know how to drive in extreme weather conditions. Even when roads and footways are gritted, it is still possible for ice to form so drivers and pedestrians should always take care.

You can help the council’s winter maintenance teams by making sure you leave enough room for gritters to get past when you park up. 

Councillor Daniel Meredith, cabinet member for highways, visited the depot this week and said the council is well prepared: “We perhaps take it for granted that the gritters will be out to prepare the roads for freezing weather but it’s interesting to see what is involved and how much work goes into ensuring our new fleet is ready for action. With unpredictable winter weather and high rural terrain to contend with they are often working in a tough environment. We still all need to do our bit by taking extra care in icy conditions and allowing more time for journeys. Gritting is carried out to prevent the formation of ice on the road, however we can’t guarantee every treated surface will be free of ice so it’s important to make sure you drive to the road conditions and please slow down.”

Coun Meredith added that it’s important to look out for elderly or vulnerable neighbours when the weather turns harsher: "We encourage residents to be good neighbours looking out for those who are more vulnerable. An offer to help could make all the difference to someone who struggles to get out on their own in winter, so please do consider how you can help." 

Weather updates, information on gritting, salt bin locations, flooding, service changes, winter facts and answers to popular questions are available at www.rochdale.gov.uk/gritting

You can also get live daily updates on Twitter, search #RochdaleGrit

Anyone who lives or has a business in an area which is prone to flooding can register with the Environment Agency for advance warnings of any flood danger. 

Tips for driving in extreme weather:

1. Allow extra time for your journey.
2. Make sure you have enough fuel.
3. Check your battery is good.
4. Check your tyres are suitable.
5. Carry a shovel in your boot.
6. Carry a bit of rock salt (available from builder’s merchants).
7. Don’t over-rev the engine or your wheels will spin. You may need to set off in second gear in manual cars to avoid skidding.
8. Use as high a gear as possible to improve grip.
9. Build your speed up slowly on hills.
10. Always brake gently and in plenty of time.
11. Don’t block junctions or roundabouts.
12. Keep more distance than usual from the car in front - You may need 10 times the normal gap.
13. If you see a gritter, stay well back because salt or spray can be thrown across the road. Do not overtake unless it is safe to do so - there may be uncleared snow on the road ahead.
14. Give cyclists more space.
15. Keep a look out for pedestrians - particularly at zebra crossings, pelican crossings and outside schools.
16. Push broken down vehicles off the carriageway - abandoned cars are one of the main obstacles which get in the way of snow ploughs.

To find out more about getting ready for winter, how to keep healthy, protect your home, travel advice as well as financial support to help you, visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/snow