Message from Cllr Seán Woodward on road treatments in Locks Heath / Western Wards

Snowfall the night before last was more persistent than initially predicted by the

forecasters with small, albeit isolated, accumulations reported in some

areas - most had no more than a light dusting.   We did not do a

countywide salting run that night although some spot treatments were

necessary in the East Hants area.  Priority 1 routes were run again yesterday

morning at 4am, to ensure surface salinity levels remain high, and the

community routes were treated on Tuesday with salt. Main roads were all

clear yesterday morning but minor roads had turned icy where the light

covering of snow had frozen. To deal with this ran the Priority 2 routes yesterday morning.  This all helped prevent ice forming on the roads

ahead of last night’s snowfall.

The

weather is now forecast to get more severe over the next 24 hours, with the weather system moving into Hampshire from

the east.  Priority One routes were treated last night,

gritters then returned to depots, fitted ploughs, reloaded and waited for

further instructions.  Community routes

were treated at 6am ahead of this morning’s rush hour.  Farmers

with snowploughs are on also on standby.  This amount of snow, if the

forecast is accurate, should be expected to cause some disruption across

Hampshire this morning.  We have issued advice on Hantweb and

through the media, and emphasised the importance of planning ahead, and

of drivers being prepared and driving appropriately if journeys are

necessary, if snow does hit Hampshire in the night.

We

then expect tonight to be very cold initially, with a forecast

of freezing rain or rain falling onto frozen surfaces later in the

night.  This is likely to produce very difficult road conditions,

especially off the treated network, but we will monitor the forecast

during tomorrow to determine our response. 

Our

salt stocks remain good, and we have had some top up deliveries last

week, but we have used some 2,500 tonnes already this winter, and we

will need to use more to deal with significant snow falls.  We are

therefore watching stock levels carefully, and anticipate national

shortages will bring the salt cell into operation if the weather

persists much longer - areas further north and east have already

experienced a prolonged period of snow and ice.

There

is a new information button on the front page of Hantsweb which links

to information on key services during severe weather.

Councillor Seán D T Woodward

Executive Leader, Fareham Borough Council

Councillor for Sarisbury Ward

County Councillor for Sarisbury Division

Member of Hampshire Police Authority