CHESHIRE West and Chester Council have responded to severe weather warnings that the city can continue to expect in the next few days.
The council, highways service and its maintenance contractor Ringway are have cautioned that temperatures could drop to sub-zero temperatures such as -7 degrees C, and have assures residents that priority routes will be gritted in advance to minimise the risk of ice forming.
Other roads will be treated when snow or ice is likely to persist.
Meanwhile, Highways will monitor the weather and take action when required and heavily-used pedestrianised areas across the borough are also being monitored and treated where necessary.
The council has a fleet of 16 strategically placed gritting trucks and is able to grit priority routes within 4 hours.
Cllr Lynn Riley, Executive Member for Community and Environment, said: “Conditions are particularly hazardous at the moment because temperatures have been fluctuating around freezing and heavy rain has led to lots of water running off fields onto roads across the borough.
“Gritting cannot be done in the rain because the salt is simply washed away.
“We receive up-to-the-minute weather information from the Met Office and we grit in line with our policy to ensure the main roads across the borough remain open to traffic.
She added: “Whilst our gritting teams are working hard we would urge motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to take extra care during the difficult conditions.
“We encourage people to visit the council's various information sources to get the latest up to date position, so that we can all travel safely when weather conditions are
bad.”
There are a number of ways you can keep updated on the weather situation:
-Twitter: search #cwacgrit for the latest gritting news
-View: interactive map of gritting routes
-Watch: video about gritting and safer driving
Information about closures of schools can also be found on the council website, www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk along with details
about how to stay safe and warm and who to contact if you need help.
