Island Gritters On Standby
Dec 15th, 2009 | By Simon Butler | Isle of Wight News From The Island PulseFollowing News: Wight Winter Sorted As Gritter Fleet Arrive… the Isle of Wight Council is moving to reassure residents it has a full stockpile of salt for its roads, following media news reports of a national shortage of salt.
The council currently has a full 800 tonne stockpile of salt in readiness to use on Island roads during cold weather.
That amount is capable of coping with at least 20 days of continuous freezing conditions and the authority also has an ongoing arrangement with is contractor to replenish stockpiles when necessary.
Though the amount leaves the council well positioned to treat its roads during any freezing conditions, it has also repeated advice to motorists to take extra care when driving during cold weather.
The council has six precautionary salting routes which gritters follow when they are deployed, as well as 11 snow clearing routes to help ensure highways are kept clear of snow and ice.
Last month, a new fleet of gritting vehicles which are more technologically advanced than the previous lorries were unveiled on the Island.
The new vehicles boast technology such as GPS satellite positioning, alarm systems when the vehicle strays off its route, and equipment that tells the council how much salt is being spread at any one time.
