Streets Ahead remind Sheffielders to stay safe on the roads this Christmas
With a mixed bag of weather conditions expected over coming weeks, the council's highways contractor is prepared to respond, should icy conditions arrive.
And with 19 gritting vehicles and over 2000 grit bins, Streets Ahead is fully equipped to help keep the city moving safely during wintry weather.
Darren Butt, Account Director at Streets Ahead, said:
“So far, it’s been a fairly mild but wet winter here in Sheffield and the forecast is predicting much of the same, with the potential for some freezing temperatures and windy spells.
“Our winter service includes gritting priority routes in advance of temperatures dropping below zero, which ensures that main arterial routes and access for emergency services remain clear, first & foremost.
“We’ve already completed over 33 grit runs this year and used over 2000 tonnes of salt to treat the roads.
“And whilst the chance of a white Christmas remains relatively low, we continuously monitor the weather forecast and receive the most accurate and timely information to make sure we’re ready for anything.”
Last winter, Streets Ahead completed 71 grit runs, spreading around 7,942 tonnes of grit on the city’s highway network. The salt dome at the Olive Grove depot holds 9,500 tonnes of grit, ensuring that supplies never run low when they are needed the most.
Brenda from Burncross Action Team shows us how to hand spread gritCabinet Member for Environment, Street Scene and Climate Change at Sheffield City Council, Councillor Mark Jones said:
“During winter, we never quite know what to expect in Sheffield. Our landscape is exceptionally hilly and we have a large network of roads to maintain and keep moving.
“It’s reassuring to know that when the bad weather strikes, the teams at Amey are well prepared and have plans in place to respond accordingly and in a timely manner.
“But whilst we rely on the winter service to help us travel safely across the city during icy periods, we all still have a responsibility to take extra care, help neighbours, make use of local grit bins and ensure we park our cars appropriately so that the gritting vehicles can get through.
“During the Christmas period, roads can be busier than usual so it’s always a good idea for people to check for any travel disruption and keep an eye on the local weather forecast before heading out.”
For more information about gritting routes, grit bin locations and winter advice, visit www.sheffield.gov.uk/winter , call 0114 273 4567 or follow @sccstreetsahead on Twitter for real-time updates during bad weather and to report empty grit bins.