Making sure Suffolk’s
roads are made as safe as possible in wintry conditions by salting
the roads and clearing
snow.
At Suffolk County Council we have a duty to ensure, so far as is
reasonably practicable, that safe passage along a road is not
endangered by snow or ice.
To comply with our duty as Highway Authority for county council
roads, we spread salt and clear snow. There are practical
limitations to what can be achieved, and priority is given to areas
of highest potential risk. The first priority are the
busiest roads.
After that we treat roads, pavements and cycle tracks
according to a system of priorities based on usage.
Trunk roads are managed by W S Atkins on
behalf of the
Highways
Agency. Any questions regarding these roads should be
directed to them rather than Suffolk County Council.
In Ipswich salting and snow clearing is carried out for Suffolk
County Council by
Ipswich
Borough Council.
Spreading salt on the roads helps prevent or remove ice. When
snow is more than 50mm deep, it needs to be mechanically removed by
ploughing or digging. Salt becomes less effective as
temperatures reduce. In exceptionally low temperatures, salt
may have little or no effect and it may be necessary to spread grit
to give more grip on the ice, rather than trying to melt it.
Where to grit?
Roads are salted and snow cleared according to a system of
priorities:
- Priority 1 – All A and B class roads, and the
busiest bus and commuter routes on other roads. These are treated
on any occasion ice or snow is forecast to be a hazard;
- Priority 2 - Other significant bus routes and
other commuter routes. Treated if snow or ice is forecast to
persist for much of the day, or shorter term conditions will be
severe, e.g. rain turning to ice;
- Priority 3 – Other classified roads and busier
unclassified roads. Only treated in prolonged severe
conditions as resources permit; and
- Priority 4 – Remaining surfaced unclassified
roads. Treated in conditions of severe and prolonged snow, as
resources permit.
Decision to grit
During the winter months we receive a detailed local road
surface weather forecast every day. Eight roadside weather stations
measure road and air temperature, rainfall, wind speed and
humidity.
We receive specialised winter weather forecasting service
provided by Meteo Group Weather Centre on a daily
basis. This predicts the possibility of freezing road
temperatures, snow etc, and the time those conditions may
occur.
Gritting the 1200 miles of Priority 1 routes takes 2.5 hours and
costs £10,000. Keeping the county's roads safe is the priority, but
we must also make sure the 38 gritters are not sent out
needlessly.
In Ipswich salting and snow clearing is carried out for Suffolk
County Council by Ipswich Borough Council (telephone: 01473 432727
or 433000).
Grit heaps
We provide roadside grit heaps on request from parish councils
so local people can treat local trouble spots on minor roads, which
otherwise would not be treated.
- grit heap locations are generally hazardous areas, hills,
junctions on minor roads which are lower priority routes for
gritting;
- grit heaps will be replenished at the start of the gritting
season and afterwards on request. It can take 2 weeks to top
up heaps as it is normally uneconomic to top up one heap in
isolation;
- named volunteers spreading grit or clearing snow can be insured
through the county council’s insurance;
- requests are only accepted from a town or parish
council;
- Suffolk County Council will fill and top up purpose made bins,
if a town or parish council wants to provide these;
- there is no charge for grit.
Snow clearing
Snow can be cleared by ploughing, digging, or the use of
specially designed snow blowers.
As well as using our own equipment, we can call over 200
farmers and contractors across the county to help with clearing
snow. Payment is only made to farmers and contractors who
have a contract with us and are working on our
instructions.
In severe snow conditions, we will carry out snow ploughing
throughout the night to try to keep the most important roads
passable. This is normally confined to the busier A class
roads.
Pavements and cycle tracks
Pavements and cycle tracks are only normally treated in the
event of snow. The following order of priority is used:
- Priority 1 – Main shopping streets in town
centres;
- Priority 2 – Other town centre pavements and
important cycle tracks;
- Priority 3 – Pavements and important cycle
tracks; and
- Priority 4 – Residential areas.
For more information contact the
Customer Service
Centre.