Gritters are well prepared for a snowy weekend

With persistent snow forecast throughout Friday and temperatures expected to stay sub-zero over the weekend, the county council’s gritters will remain out and about.

Notts County Council’s gritters have been out 14 times since last Saturday salting main routes and snow routes.

Each time, 23 gritting vehicles have taken to the roads, each covering a route that takes three to four hours.

You can keep up to date with where the gritters have been using an interactive map on the Notts County Council website www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk

Or log onto Twitter and use the #grittertwitter hashtag to trace their movements.

Householders are asked to help them by not parking cars on the roads, where possible.

“Our gritting teams do their very best to get the county’s roads gritted as swiftly as possible but there have been some instances where they have been hindered, especially at night, by cars parked on both sides of the road,” said Coun Richard Jackson, chairman of the council’s highways and transport committee.

“We know that in many cases people have no choice but very often these are cars which have been moved off people’s driveways simply so they can make a swift getaway in the mornings without having to clear snow.”

“We would ask that wherever possible people help keep the roads clear so that our gritters can do their job.”

Residents are also reminded that the salt in county council-supplied yellow grit bins are for use on roads and pavements and not on their own drives.

Yellow bins are normally supplied at sites which are severely affected by winter weather and where there is a junction hazard present or high pedestrian footfall.

The bins are refilled once the Council has gritted the road network and as long as grit is not in short supply.

You can also do your bit by being a good neighbour and helping to clear residential roads, paths and pavements.

The Government’s snow code gives clear advice on clearing snow and ice safely. Find out more here: www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/get-ready-for-winter/out-and-about/the-snow-code

Coun Jackson added: “The County Council is better prepared than ever for this winter and remains committed to playing its part by salting and gritting the main roads across Notts.”

“But despite what many people think, we have never gritted residential streets – unless they are also main routes – as we simply don’t have the capacity.”

“Our priorities are to get the main roads and key public transport corridors passable as quickly as we can so that emergency services and as many people as possible are able to undertake essential journeys.”

“Once we’ve done that we will, of course, assist on minor roads but, where you are able, you don’t have to wait for us to reach your road and footway.”

• For more snow advice and information on schools closures and service disruption see www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk