P1 = Primary route 1

P2 = Primary route 2

These will be gritted first.

Then Community routes which are generally those near Medical centres and schools. 

 

Quick update:

We had about 3-5″ of snow across the region generally but fared better that the southern half of the County (for once!) – I live in Winchester and had 7″ of snow on my driveway. All P1 routes were run twice overnight and Community Routes run this morning at 0600. Farmers were out ploughing and although some main roads became difficult I am not aware any needed to be closed. Heath Lane/Doras Green Lane/Redlands Lane remain closed as engineers considered it too dangerous to reopen despite us salting these roads today. We have also used the mini-spreaders from the Community Routes to spot treat sections of road.

Some P2’s ran following completion of the P1’s but delays due to weather and traffic meant not all could because gritters were required to be back in depots by 16:30 so as to be ready to run again tonight at 18:00.

P2’s are to be fully run tonight after the P1’s are completed.

We have had 18 gangs out across Basingstoke, Hart and Rushmoor (supplemented by resources from Basingstoke & Deane and Rushmoor BC in the main town shopping areas). These gangs have been trying to clear snow (where possible) and apply a salt/grit mix. Work on both footways and roads has been undertaken as necessary plus some gangs have been refilling salt bins across Hart & Rushmoor (& Basingstoke). Priority has been given to cases where the Priority 1 network was becoming compromised and high usage areas. We have tried to clear footways near railway stations and near some of the bigger schools but could not get to them all.

Tomorrow we hope to have a some additional resources as Road Surface temperatures are due to reach minus 9deg.C.  This will cause any moisture and uncleared snow to freeze hard and conditions on any untreated roads may be very difficult. At temperatures as low as -9 salt becomes sluggish and is not as quick in clearing ice/snow. We are trying to get the message out to the public but I do advise to take extra care tomorrow and only travel if your journey is essential.

Amey are hoping to be able to place and fill the salt bins approved for Fleet & Church Crookham tomorrow but it will depend on the weather and the priorities it brings.

The outlook at the moment shows no break in the cold weather and therefore any snow/ice present is likely to remain until temperatures rise.

Hope this may help with any enquiries but it’s inevitable many people will think we should have done more today or will think the roads and footways should be cleared by tomorrow. Work could not continue through the night as many of the staff had worked the maximum no. of drivers hours allowed by law and as visibility falls the risks of working on highways in these sort of temperatures become too high.

The ‘snow desk’ at Hook will be open from 0600 tomorrow.

   Leave a comment