Stockport gritters ready for snow

Stockport gritters were out in force last night and this morning as snow hit the region for the second time this winter.

During last winter over 2000 tonnes of rock salt was used during 55 gritting operations.

Salt levels are closely monitored and maintained throughout the winter and Stockport gritters have sufficient supply of rock salt to cope with this winter’s weather.

Stockport’s gritters cover up to 450 km of Stockport’s road network depending on road conditions and approximately 100 staff from Solutions SK are available 24/7 in order to respond to routine or exceptional weather conditions.

Roads included on the gritting schedule are prioritised to maintain the optimum level of traffic flow along major routes first. Operational priorities continue to be:

1. Priority routes 1 – 10 (‘A’ class roads and other strategic routes)

2. Designated footways

3. Tertiary Routes (key residential area feeder roads including bus routes)

The Council uses predicted weather conditions from the Met Office to decide on appropriate actions.

If severe weather is forecast, additional priority is given to those areas of road & footway having steep gradients, or provide access to schools, train & bus stations, hospitals & town, district and local centres.

Additionally, grit bins are placed and stocked at agreed locations across the borough. These are replenished when necessary throughout the winter period so that local residents can treat local roads and pavements. It is not for use on residents’ driveways. People taking salt from grit bins for personal use should be reported to the  

Un-adopted roads will not be gritted and private land is the responsibility of the landowner. 

All the gritting routes and grit bin locations can be found at: www.stockport.gov.uk/gritting

Councillor Sheila Bailey, Executive member for Communities and Housing said: “To prepare for winter the Council’s gritting crews are on full alert. The Council’s website has been updated to ensure residents are fully informed and can access vital information during the winter weather. 

“A decision on where and when to grit is made shortly after each weather forecast. Footpaths are dealt with on a priority basis – with schools, public transport, stations, hospitals and retail centres being considered as main routes.  The preparations in place are aimed at ensuring that Stockport residents can continue to move safely around the Borough throughout poor weather conditions”.