Councils ready for winter, LGA survey shows

07/11/2016 | HIGHWAYS REPORTERS

Almost half of councils are at the limit of storage capacity when it comes to storing grit in readiness for winter.

The Local Government Association's (LGA) annual Winter Readiness Survey shows that councils are well prepared for plummeting temperatures with a substantial stock of grit.

Gritters will be out treating thousands of miles of roads whenever overnight temperatures drop below zero in the coming days.

The survey also shows more than 80% of councils have placed community grit bins for residents to access salt for pavements and side streets and 75% are using state-of-the-art GPS technology on the gritting fleets.

Social media will also continue to be an important tool for councils communicating with residents with 97% of councils using Twitter accounts to keep people up-to-date with weather forecasts, road conditions and gritting activity.

Cllr Martin Tett, LGA transport spokesman, said: "Councils are fully prepared to protect residents and minimise disruption to their residents caused by the drop in temperatures.

"They are constantly monitoring up-to-the-minute weather reports to make sure they can stay one step ahead of the weather. We are well prepared for the cold with 1.2 million tonnes of salt stockpiled and a fleet of state-of-the-art gritters ready to be deployed.

"As well as gritting our roads and clearing snow, council teams are ready to be drafted in to help provide a variety of services to ensure we are looking out for the more vulnerable members of our communities this winter, from carrying out emergency household repairs to delivering hot meals and portable heaters.

"Councils will treat as many roads as possible during the cold snap and have also filled thousands of community grit bins and recruited volunteers to help people clear pavements, paths and side streets when needed.

"Local authorities will be constantly updating websites with information on weather, gritting routes, road conditions, school closures and bin collections, and many councils also have gritter Twitter feeds and Facebook pages detailing the latest developments."

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Chartered Civil Engineer – Highways Specialist

£65,000 - £80,000 based on experience.
We are looking for a driven and experienced Chartered Civil Engineer with a strong background in highways engineering to join our team. Bristol based offices. Hybrid (2 days in office) or remote working for the right candidate.
Recruiter: W.D.M. Limited

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £49,178 - £52,937 per annum
Are you passionate about infrastructure, partnership management and making a real impact? Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Highways Technical Assistant

£29,064 - £31,537 per annum
Would you like to be part of one of our friendly, welcoming Highways teams, who are proud to manage all aspects of the highway network? Kirby Misperton, Malton
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highways Technical Assistant

£29,064 - £31,537 per annum
Would you like to be part of one of our friendly, welcoming Highways teams, who are proud to manage all aspects of the highway network? Boroughbridge, York
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highways Technical Assistant

£29,064 - £31,537 per annum
Would you like to be part of one of our friendly, welcoming Highways teams, who are proud to manage all aspects of the highway network? Whitby, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highways Technical Assistant

£29,064 - £31,537 per annum
Would you like to be part of one of our friendly, welcoming Highways teams, who are proud to manage all aspects of the highway network? Selby, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highways Technical Assistant

£29,064 - £31,537 per annum
Would you like to be part of one of our friendly, welcoming Highways teams, who are proud to manage all aspects of the highway network? Skipton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Highways Engineer

£52,194 - £55,323 per annum
We’d love you to join us at the London Borough of Hounslow! Hounslow (City/Town), London (Greater) (GB)
Recruiter: Hounslow London Borough Council

Highways Technical Assistant

£29,064 - £31,537 per annum
Would you like to be part of one of our friendly, welcoming Highways teams, who are proud to manage all aspects of the highway network? Thirsk, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Roads Strategy Director & National Highways Client Director

circa £100,000
Transport is fundamental to everyday life, connecting people to work, education, leisure and opportunity. Leeds / Birmingham / London
Recruiter: Department for Transport

Bridges Engineer

Grade 8 - Grade 10
The Key purpose of this position within the Highways Network Management Team Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Assistant Highways Network Technician - WMF2343e

£26,403 - £26,824
This role will be part of the Network Team in the South Lakeland area based in Kendal. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Principal Engineer - Adoptions

£46,878 - £50,071
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Highways Engineer to join our Highways Development Management team. Northamptonshire
Recruiter: West Northamptonshire Council

Asset Senior Maintenance Engineer (CDC)

Grade 10, £47,154 – £51,235
Do you have a positive approach to work and enjoy the challenge of a busy role? Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Arboricultural Consultant

£36168.0000 - £42551.0000 per annum
Arboricultural ConsultantPermanentFull Time, 37 hours per week£36,168 to £42,551 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Senior Engineer

Starting Salary from £43,545 based on skills and
Job TitleSenior Engineer (x2 v... Frogmore Complex, Wandsworth, London,
Recruiter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2311e

£26,403 - £26,824
This is a predominantly office-based role with some site visits required. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Lawyer Planning and Highways - WMF2312e

£56,883 - £59,198
To be a success in our Legal Team you will have experience as a Planning and Highways Lawyer Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Civil Engineering Technician (HDM)

Grade 4 - Grade 6
Do you want to join a team helping to shape the future of Wakefield through Highways Development Management? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management operative course Staffordshire
Recruiter: Amey
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW