WITH winter weather approaching, preparations are in place to ensure Middlesbrough is as prepared as it can be.
Middlesbrough Council’s transport, environment and Streetscene teams are now receiving regular seasonal weather updates from the Meteo Group and operations will swing into action at the first sign of ice or snow.
Last year the teams used around 2,000 tonnes of road salt.
Already this year there are 4,000 tonnes in the barns at Cargo Fleet. As in previous years, further stocks will be available from Boulby if required.
A new gritter has increased the fleet to five, with two spares on standby to cover breakdowns and maintenance or to provide additional cover in severe conditions.
Salt bins will once again be deployed to ensure major routes are kept clear, while extra resources will also be made available to ensure town centre roads and pavements remain safe and passable.
Middlesbrough boasts one of the fastest gritting times in the country, with the team able to cover roads on the borough’s five gritting routes – a total distance of 180 miles – in just two hours.
Councillor Tracy Harvey, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “It’s increasingly difficult to predict when the real cold snaps will come and how severe they will be, but as ever we are prepared for the worst.
“Our crews are ready with the equipment, expertise and experience they need to keep our major routes clear and ensure the town centre remains open for business, whatever the weather.”
The popular winter weather feature will return to the home page of the Middlesbrough Council website throughout the winter months, with regular updates on grit stocks, weather forecasts and road conditions.
For more information visit www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/winter or follow @MbroCouncil #mbrowinter on Twitter.