Residents Urged to Take Care in Winter Weather

Residents are urged to take extra care on the roads as the Council works to keep South Tyneside moving in the wintry conditions.

The Council is working with its partners at South Tyneside Homes to respond to any issues that arise while working with the emergency services to safeguard vulnerable residents, keep main roads as clear as possible and ensure any disruption to services is kept to an absolute minimum. They also endeavour to clear paths around Warm Space venues where possible.

The Council responds as and when the temperature drops with motorists encouraged to take extra care and drive according to the conditions.

Councillor Ernest Gibson, Lead Member for Transport and Neighbourhoods, said: "We have a winter maintenance plan in place to deal with this type of weather, with salt stockpiled and the Council ready to react whenever conditions suddenly take a turn for the worse.

"Our teams work around the clock wherever necessary with a focus on keeping priority routes clear. They are working in difficult conditions clearing snow and ice to ensure busy roads and footpaths are safe for the public and so that vulnerable people can get out and about safely.

"We always pre-salt our priority routes ahead of ice and snow coming, with pre-salt runs triggered by advance weather forecasts from our forecast provider DTN. Though it is important to note that the effect of rock salt depends to a great extent on moving traffic to make it work effectively - it is not an immediate fix.

"Our highways and handy estates teams will continue to clear busy roads and footpaths of snow and ice for as long as is needed to keep disruption to a minimum, which is good news for households, communities, school runs and businesses.

"However, we would like to remind people that we must clear our priority routes first and would ask for patience during these times."

The Council has a fleet of six gritting wagons. There are also more than 200 grit bins across the Borough that are used to help clear footpaths, shopping areas and other areas that may be hazardous in the event of snow and ice.

These bins are to help Council staff in their gritting operations and are not for private use.

Operations will focus on major roads, bus routes and steep banks as well as priority footpaths in shopping areas, around schools and on steps and footbridges with pre-gritting taking place on priority routes as and when the temperature drops.

Gritting the Borough's 311km of priority routes takes around 2.5 hours to complete.

Motorists are advised to take greater care than normal in winter driving conditions and to check the local weather forecasts and information websites.

For further details about gritting routes, grit bin locations and a wide range of winter-related advice and information, visit the Council's website at www.southtyneside.gov.uk or call the Customer Contact Centre on (0191) 427 7000.

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