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County 'working flat out' in big freeze
COUNTY Council staff are working flat out to combat the big freeze.
The prolonged bout of snow and ice is fully stretching the County Council's resources. It is likely that this will continue throughout the week.
"We are doing everything we can to help out during the icy conditions," said Derek Whittington, County Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport.
"Some people have been worried that we are running out of salt. Let me assure everyone that we are well stocked to cope with the situation."
The County Council is legally responsible for the majority of pavements, and decides whether to salt within the resources it has available.
Because of parked cars, and pedestrians using the footway, gritting is best done by hand, which is labour intensive.
"We do undertake hand salting of pavements where we can, but this only happens when we are absolutely certain the roads are clear," continued Derek.
"In times of persistent snowfall or extreme temperatures, this does mean that pavements may not be treated.
"For this reason, we fill salt bins at known troublespots where difficulties may arise because of ice or snow, and where stocks have become depleted, we will refill these as soon as possible.
"We are fully committed to keeping the roads and pavements as safe as possible for the public. Whenever ice or snow is forecast, we carry out precautionary salting on more than 1,000 miles of our road network, which at 42 percent is more than the national target of 24 to 38 percent."
Priorities roads usually include all main roads. Generally, no others will be salted except when there are prolonged icy spells or severe snow conditions, and then only after main routes have been covered.
The Precautionary Salting Network for roads was drawn up to cover:
All A and B roads in West Sussex, except the A23 and the A27 which are gritted by the Highways Agency.
Important bus routes - generally those running daily during weekdays with at least one bus per hour or more, in and between peak periods for schools and work.
Access roads to large industrial establishments.
Access roads leading to large educational establishments (for example colleges of further education, or secondary schools.
Access roads to airports, hospitals, ambulance and fire stations, railway stations and bus depots.
Roads where it is considered that wintry conditions present a higher than normal risk to the highway user for a road of that type and usage.
"We urge people to bear with us during this period, as we are working extremely hard to maintain the strategic network of roads in West Sussex, keeping them open to through traffic and in a safe condition," added Derek.
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Weather for Horsham
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 14 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North east
