South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 22/01/2013

Since Friday the team has salted almost 5,000 miles of roads and distributed more than 1,500 tonnes of salt to keep roads free of ice and snow.

Crews clocked up approximately 750 working hours over the four days, operating in shifts to ensure that the service could respond to changing conditions night or day.

The 24-hour operation ensured that the district’s priority road network – totalling about 300 miles — was kept clear despite the most severe weather seen in South Gloucestershire this winter.

Gangs were also deployed to clear cycle paths and footpaths in priority areas, including the cycle route along the Ring Road between Abbeywood and Bromley Heath.

Head of StreetCare Mark King said that the service will continue to operate round-the-clock salting where required.

He added: “We have an excellent track record in keeping South Gloucestershire’s roads clear for residents, businesses and emergency services during severe weather and I’m really pleased that this winter has been no different.

“The team have worked tirelessly to keep priority roads free of ice and snow and we’ve also been helped this year by our new gritting fleet, which has passed its first proper severe weather test with flying colours.

“The worst of this bout of severe weather appears to be easing now but we can’t be complacent and will continue to be on 24-hour standby until the spring.”

Latest information on council services affected by severe weather, including school closures and details of winter gritting routes, is available from www.southglos.gov.uk/snow

Updates are also available via the council’s Twitter feed @sgloscouncil