Nottinghamshire County Council gritters kept busy as cold spell continues

Last night the county’s 23 gritting vehicles were on the roads by 6.30pm, completing a first run of all main routes across the county by 10.40pm.

Snow routes were salted between 10pm and 12.15am and a second run on all main routes took place between 1am and 4.40am.

A third run took place on all routes this morning from 7am and extra gritting was being carried out throughout the day in the worst affected areas – particularly in the north and north-west of the county.

Day shift teams are also carrying out spot gritting where needed.

Gritting teams are scheduled to begin salting all main routes again tonight from 6pm but are keeping a close eye on changing weather patterns and will go out earlier if necessary.

Further gritting runs may take place overnight, depending on how the weather develops, and standby drivers have been put on alert.

There have been some reports of disruption in the north of the county with around 21 schools closing early. Rufford Abbey and Sherwood Forest country parks closed at 11am due to increasingly heavy snow.

Latest weather forecasts say that wintry showers of sleet, hail, snow or rain are possible at any point over the next 24 hours and could be heavy at times, with the risk of some snow overnight.

Friday is set to remain cold with the possibility of some snow or sleet but with clear skies overnight into Saturday, bringing a risk of ice.

Each time the Council carries out a gritting run – which can take up to four hours depending on conditions -- it uses around 250 tonnes of rock salt.

The salt is stored at the Council’s four grit barns across the county where it has the capacity to store up to 22,000 tonnes of salt. Current stock levels stand at 10,984 tonnes.

The Council is advising people to play their part in keeping the county on the move by following the Government’s Snow Code which gives clear advice on clearing snow and ice safely.

If people are fit and able they should clear residential streets and pavements near to their home if possible and check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours to see if they are well and have access to food and drink.

People are also being advised to allow extra time to clear their cars of snow and to drive carefully during the wintry conditions.

Residents can get up-to-date information about the Council’s services during severe weather by checking the County Council website at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk, signing up to Twitter at www.twitter.com and then following @nottscc or visiting the Council’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nottinghamshire