Lancashire County Council’s gritting crews are poised to face harsh weather conditions this weekend.
With the Met Office issuing amber warnings for snow on January 4 and 5, the council’s highway team is prepared to keep its 45 frontline gritters operational around the clock, if necessary.
Joining the fleet this winter are two new specialist vehicles, called Unimogs, which will be put to the test in these conditions.
These all-terrain Mercedes vehicles are designed to be more manoeuvrable than other gritters, allowing them to access the more challenging parts of Lancashire’s landscape.
Equipped with a motorised plough, the driver can adjust its shape from the cab to clear snow more effectively.
They can also be fitted with snowblowers if required.
The highway team is also dealing with a small number of roads that remain closed or have been impacted by recent flooding.
Efforts are underway to reopen these roads ‘as soon as possible’, but some will need to remain closed for safety reasons.
County Councillor Rupert Swarbrick, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “We’re as well prepared as we can be to keep Lancashire’s roads moving over the weekend, with our highways teams ready to grit and plough 24/7 if necessary.
“We’re continuing to work to reopen a number of roads which have been affected by flooding over recent days, but our main focus over the weekend will need to be on making travel as safe as possible due to the weather warning for snow, and the risk of ice.
“We’ll be focused on keeping the main routes open and moving, however, no council has the resources to treat every road.
“Conditions could be difficult at times even on the main roads, and untreated surfaces could be particularly treacherous so please keep an eye on the weather and consider your travel plans, including whether it’s safe to make your planned journey.”
The council estimates that its fleet of 45 frontline gritters can treat the 1,500 miles of the county’s priority road network within ‘around four hours’, although this may take longer in severe weather conditions.
Residents living on or near a gritting route have been asked to park considerately and leave enough space for the gritters to pass, as poor parking often hinders the treatment of these routes.
They are also encouraged to use the salt and sand from the county’s nearly 3,000 roadside grit bins sparingly, as these can only be refilled when resources are available, and keeping the main routes clear is the top priority.
Mr Swarbrick said: “The forecast is quite uncertain, and I’m hoping that any snow we get will not be too disruptive.
“At the same time, I know our gritter drivers may be looking forward to the prospect of using the new Unimogs which are specially designed to tackle snowy conditions and would be the first time they’ve had the chance to use them to their full potential.”
Agricultural contractors are also on standby to help clear more remote rural roads if necessary, and Lancashire’s district councils are ready to treat the pavements in the busiest areas.
For more information about gritting in Lancashire, including which roads are gritted and how to prepare, visit lancashire.gov.uk/winter.