Don't worry – we've got plenty of grit stockpiled
ASSURANCES have been given that Bristol has plenty of grit should the current wintry weather continue.
Stocks of grit at May Gurney's depot in Hartcliffe are currently about 1,400 tonnes which is enough to last for several weeks.
If snow continued, there would be enough time to order and receive more grit from Northern Ireland.
Two years ago, there was a nationwide crisis when councils up and down the country ran out or very low on grit supplies because of an unexpected snowfall.
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May Gurney has replaced an old fleet of gritting lorries with seven state-of-the-art vehicles which have GPS navigation and can easily regulate spread rates.
They can put down as much as 100 tonnes of grit a day although a light spread to keep roads clear takes less than 30 tonnes.
When cold weather is forecast, the gritting lorries carry out precautionary spreading on a third of Bristol's road network including all main routes into the city.
In severe weather, the Bristol to Bath Cycle Path is also gritted.
A total of 750 grit bins are in place around Bristol for use by pedestrians and residents. Many helpful people in hilly areas volunteered as snow wardens last year, and 35 grit bags have been filled for distribution to meet their requirements.
There are also plans to make up to 100 community grit dumps if heavy snow is forecast.
The council has 58 fully trained snow wardens covering hilly residential areas of the city. This year the council is also appealing to businesses to volunteer to keep the most dangerous areas of pavement clear in shopping and business areas.
For more details visit the council's snow and extreme weather pages: www.bristol.gov.uk/snow and keep up to date on thisisbristol.co.uk.
5 Comments
by Shas_J
Monday, January 21 2013, 11:40PM
“I've never seen so many bicycles on the road and not the pavements because they've not been gritted lol”
by DM_Fishponds
Monday, January 21 2013, 3:55PM
“@Pyronaught – "As to pavements - we now have pedestrians walking on the roads because the pavements are un-usable! How crazy is that?!"
You are right!
Also be aware that the 'people on bikes' who were cycling on the pavements are now using the roads instead because the pavements are too icy. This would be fine if they knew the basics of the Highway Code or even which side of the road to cycle on!”
by Pyronaught
Monday, January 21 2013, 2:07PM
“It's the pavements that need more attention. The roads were usable - it's people's ignorance of how to drive in slippery conditions that was the biggest problem!! If you lose traction DON'T PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN - ease off the accelerator and shift to a low gear - you can keep moving if you know how. As to pavements - we now have pedestrians walking on the roads because the pavements are un-usable! How crazy is that?! If you have a bit of pavement outside your house or business - clear it. Don't just leave it to become a lethal ice-rink. You will not get sue'd if you clear it and someone slips on it afterwards.”
by JoeKingswood
Monday, January 21 2013, 1:42PM
“How about putting some of that grit on the roads then? On Friday, a third of the country didnt go to work due to poor driving conditions, yet everyone in the country knew the snow was coming and knew how bad it was going to be. What did the lazy council do?
Nothing. Bristol ground to a halt because the roads were unpassable until noon. Useless council.”
by Shas_J
Monday, January 21 2013, 9:52AM
“We're gonna need that grit to keep treating the roads on the random icey patches where snow has fallen off cars just because they are too lazy to brush it all off before setting off on their journey, think its funny when it falls off when they break suddenly or think it looks pretty been blown in the air while driving along. Please motorists - think!! Clear your car completely of snow before setting off - you're only making the roads treacherous for the rest of us!”