Lincolnshire County Council Gritting and snow clearance

Between 1 October and 30 April each year, the Council monitors 12 roadside weather stations 24 hours a day and use forecasts to predict when action is needed to keep the roads safe.

Gritting routes

Gritting routes, adding a road to a gritting route and advice on clearing snow and ice yourself.

Grit bins

Lincolnshire County Council provides and refills almost 1,900 grit bins throughout the county.

Driving in winter

Advice for driving when roads may still be icy and a checklist to complete before driving in winter weather.

Snow clearing

The Council undertakes snow clearing when snow falls and settles to depths likely to cause disruption to transport.

For further information www.lincolnshire.gov.uk roads and transport.

Lincolnshire Police

Driving safely on slippery roads

Here are a few tips from the police to help keep you safe on winter roads

1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least five times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.

2. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up do not place further pressure on the brake pedal, ease off the brake to regain steering control.

3. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.

4. Keep your lights and windscreen clean.

5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.

6. Don't use cruise control where there is a risk of ice.

7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently travelled roads as they often freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing you might encounter ice in shady or exposed areas.

8. Don't pass snow ploughs or gritting trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.

9. Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel drive vehicles can lose grip on winter roads.

West Lindsey District Council www.west-lindsey.gov.uk

Guildhall, Marshall 's Yard, Gainsborough, Lincs DN21 2NA

Can you offer snow help?

Lincolnshire County Council is looking for farmers, contractors and hauliers to help keep the local roads clear of heavy snow this winter.

At times of extreme weather, extra resources, including plant and labour, are hired in as necessary and as available. This extra resource includes local farmers, hauliers and other contractors.

Before the start of each winter season, agreements are made with these farmer/contractors on such matters as plant and labour availability and hire rates.

Typical plant used during snow clearance operations are ploughs fitted to tractors, and JCBs and loaders with buckets.

Anyone interested in providing help to the County Council during extreme winter weather should submit a tender to the appropriate divisional office.

In the case of North Division (which covers West Lindsey) the address is Lincolnshire County Council, Greater Lincoln & Gainsborough Division, 4th Floor City Hall , Lincoln , LN1 1 DN, from where the tender documents can be obtained in the first instance.

For more information contact Lincolnshire County Council's customer service centre on 01522782070.

Tips on clearing snow and ice

Don't use hot water - this will melt the snow, but may replace it with black ice.

Be a good. neighbour – some people may be unable to clear snow and ice on their paths.

If shovelling snow, think where you are going to put it so that it doesn't block people's paths or drainage channels.

Make a pathway down the middle of the area to be cleared first, so you have a clear surface to walk on.

Spreading some salt on the area you have cleared will help stop ice forming - table salt or dishwasher salt will work, but avoid spreading on plants or grass as they may be damaged by it.

Pay particular care and attention to steps and steep gradients.

Use the sun to your advantage - removing the top layer of snow will allow the sun to melt any ice beneath; however you will need to cover any ice with salt to stop it refreezing overnight.

If there's no salt available, sand or ash are good alternatives.

Changes already addressed:  

More staff have been given the technology to be able to work flexibly from other locations. West Lindsey District Council has made stronger links with Lincolnshire County Council to ensure refuse staff are deployed where they are needed most if waste collections cannot be made. A small gritter and plough which can be mounted onto the council's tractor has been bought. In addition, the authority has invested in a hand-propelled gritting device and a number of snow grippers which can be moved around the district. The council has also been in discussion with contractors about the provision of suitable equipment and man power if needed.