Oxfordshire’s team of 55 specialist drivers to keep its 30 gritter lorries moving whenever the freezing weather strikes are prepared and ready for winter action.
To make sure the county is ready when temperatures drop below zero, Oxfordshire County Council and its principal highways contractor M Group also have three barns at its depots in Deddington, Drayton and Woodcote containing more than 10,000 tonnes of road salt in total.
Councillor Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repairs, said:
“We are committed to keeping our network of major roads free from ice and snow to minimise the risk of accidents and ensure that traffic can flow smoothly. Our gritter drivers do an incredible job at the most unsociable hours and in the coldest temperatures to help us achieve this.
“However, motorists should never assume that a road will be free from ice and need to adjust their driving to suit the conditions. If you do find yourself behind one of our gritter lorries, which are restricted to 30mph when they are working, please be patient and considerate – remember they are there to keep you safe.”
Last winter, the gritters were sent out 34 times – including on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day – using a total of 6,184 tonnes of salt.
Richard Lovewell, M Group Business Director, said: “A huge amount of work takes place for months behind the scenes to make sure Oxfordshire is ready for whatever winter brings.
“Winter maintenance is a round-the-clock operation that relies on careful planning, accurate weather forecasting and the commitment of our frontline teams.
“Many of our gritter drivers also carry out highway maintenance work during the day, and we’re proud of the role they play in helping residents, businesses and visitors travel safely throughout Oxfordshire in the winter months.”
The council uses several methods to decide when and where to salt.
It receives regular weather forecasts for conditions on Oxfordshire’s roads, uses a computerised ice prediction system to compare forecast conditions against actual road temperatures, and monitors conditions through the night. It also utilises the skills of experienced staff to judge when to best carry out precautionary gritting.
(Picture: Oxfordshire County Council)
