Heavy snow and icy conditions meant a busy weekend for Leicestershire County Council’s gritters, which have been out and about across the region since Saturday evening.
As well as repeatedly gritting roads on 17 routes across the county, the highways' teams also attended a number of call-outs, including some road closures.
Crews are monitoring the weather throughout the day and highways’ teams will be out in force again tonight as more freezing temperatures are forecast.
The county council has a total of 23 dedicated gritters covering 17 routes, who go out spreading roughly 170 tonnes of rock salt. Efforts are also made to grit one route into most villages where possible.
But although salt helps prevent ice, it can’t melt snow or stop snow falling on top, so motorists are advised to remain cautious.
Our highways team has been exceptionally busy over the past few days and our gritters have been out and about doing all they can to ensure major roads and key routes are gritted to keep our road network moving and to do all they can to keep drivers safe on our roads.
We monitor the weather closely and our gritting teams will continue to be out and about throughout this cold snap.
Person:Trevor Pendleton, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport This year, the council’s grit barns are stocked up with 18,000 tonnes of rock salt, ready to tackle the worst of the winter weather. Community snow wardens also do their bit by gritting paths – and local farmers help out by fitting snow ploughs to their tractors and helping the council to clear roads where necessary.
Around 20 teams have been involved in putting down salt by hand in town centres, particularly around key public locations.
The snowy weather has also affected some services. Some of the county’s waste sites are currently closed until further notice due to the freezing weather conditions. Please check before setting off if you have made a booking for Monday or Tuesday or consider if you can rebook for later this week.
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Residents are also reminded to check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours who may need extra help during the cold weather.