Rock salt record in worst cold spell for 30 years
http://www.dailyfix.co.uk/articles/81074/1/Rock-salt-record-in-worst-cold-spell-for-30-years/Page1.html
By Chief Editor
Published on 20 Jan 2010
Over 10,000 tonnes of grit have been used on Herefordshire’s roads this winter so far, mostly during the first two weeks of January, when the county was in the grip of the worst cold spell for 30 years.
Herefordshire Council reports that storage barns were full with 6,500 tonnes of rock salt stockpiled before Christmas to ensure it could fulfil its pledge of keeping the county’s 600 miles of priority routes open over the winter.
This was backed up with more deliveries as needed and more rock salt has been received today (20 January 2010).
Last year, the council used 10,000 tonnes of salt during the whole winter period, and in the year before that under 4,000 tonnes were used, with under 3,000 tonnes used in total the year before that.
The council’s winter service plan is to grit the strategic routes that carry heavy traffic, the key commuter and public transport routes, and those important to the emergency services. But the council says it is almost impossible to also grit the unclassified and minor roads that make up the remainder of Herefordshire’s 2,000 plus miles of roads.
“I know many people in rural areas would want us to grit every minor road”, said Clive Hall, the council’s highway network manager. “If the council attempted to do so, it would soon have run out of rock salt altogether, given that the whole country was in the grip of icy conditions and there were national shortages due to the high demand on supply.
“Running out of supplies would mean it would be almost impossible for most people to get anywhere in the county, and this could bring business and commerce to a halt, as well as endangering lives and seriously impacting emergency and public services”.
“We do have a good track record in keeping primary routes open in even the worst conditions, but the recent prolonged period of below freezing temperatures has been a real challenge to our services”.
The council also has to carefully manage the way its salt is stored and used, as there is the risk of environmental damage if too much is washed into the soil or into water courses.
In the aftermath of the big freeze, there is also the problem of the potholes created as water freezes, expands and breaks up road surfaces. The council estimates it will cost over £5.5 million to rectify the damage to Herefordshire’s roads.
Herefordshire Council and its highways partner, Amey Herefordshire, are currently scouring the streets and lanes across Herefordshire to make sure that all hazardous potholes are repaired as soon as possible.
Local authorities are expected to lobbying central government for financial help in addressing the full costs of the damage to road networks during the extreme weather.
“We have contingencies in our budgets for the impact of winter on our roads, for we will be seeking help from government”, explained Clive Hall.
“Teams are out and about already repairing potholes,” he added. “They are also be inspecting drains at critical locations to make sure they are not blocked by debris and not the cause of localised flooding.
If anyone spots a pothole, they are asked to contact the council’s street care line on 01432 261800 or at streets@herefordshire.gov.uk
Herefordshire Council reports that storage barns were full with 6,500 tonnes of rock salt stockpiled before Christmas to ensure it could fulfil its pledge of keeping the county’s 600 miles of priority routes open over the winter.
This was backed up with more deliveries as needed and more rock salt has been received today (20 January 2010).
Last year, the council used 10,000 tonnes of salt during the whole winter period, and in the year before that under 4,000 tonnes were used, with under 3,000 tonnes used in total the year before that.
The council’s winter service plan is to grit the strategic routes that carry heavy traffic, the key commuter and public transport routes, and those important to the emergency services. But the council says it is almost impossible to also grit the unclassified and minor roads that make up the remainder of Herefordshire’s 2,000 plus miles of roads.
“I know many people in rural areas would want us to grit every minor road”, said Clive Hall, the council’s highway network manager. “If the council attempted to do so, it would soon have run out of rock salt altogether, given that the whole country was in the grip of icy conditions and there were national shortages due to the high demand on supply.
“Running out of supplies would mean it would be almost impossible for most people to get anywhere in the county, and this could bring business and commerce to a halt, as well as endangering lives and seriously impacting emergency and public services”.
“We do have a good track record in keeping primary routes open in even the worst conditions, but the recent prolonged period of below freezing temperatures has been a real challenge to our services”.
The council also has to carefully manage the way its salt is stored and used, as there is the risk of environmental damage if too much is washed into the soil or into water courses.
In the aftermath of the big freeze, there is also the problem of the potholes created as water freezes, expands and breaks up road surfaces. The council estimates it will cost over £5.5 million to rectify the damage to Herefordshire’s roads.
Herefordshire Council and its highways partner, Amey Herefordshire, are currently scouring the streets and lanes across Herefordshire to make sure that all hazardous potholes are repaired as soon as possible.
Local authorities are expected to lobbying central government for financial help in addressing the full costs of the damage to road networks during the extreme weather.
“We have contingencies in our budgets for the impact of winter on our roads, for we will be seeking help from government”, explained Clive Hall.
“Teams are out and about already repairing potholes,” he added. “They are also be inspecting drains at critical locations to make sure they are not blocked by debris and not the cause of localised flooding.
If anyone spots a pothole, they are asked to contact the council’s street care line on 01432 261800 or at streets@herefordshire.gov.uk