hertsdirect.org Hertfordshire Highways winter gear

Hertfordshire Highways winter gear

Hertfordshire Highways responds to safety issues on our roads and faces particular challenges during the winter. We aim to help road users travel safely wherever ice is predicted by carrying out pre-salting of the busiest roads, although it’s no substitute for driving carefully.

When does salting take place?

The winter period officially starts in October and finishes at the end of April. Hertfordshire has a relatively mild winter climate when compared with the north of England, but this brings its own problems. The temperatures often hover around the freezing point and these marginal conditions can make life difficult for the weather forecaster and our team when making the decision whether or not to salt.

As a result we work very closely with weather forecasters to ensure that changes are constantly monitored to ensure we take appropriate action. In addition, ten roadside weather-reporting stations throughout the county relay information through computer links about road conditions.

We try to complete salting outside peak traffic time and before freezing conditions occur. This becomes particularly difficult when rain, sleet or hail is forecast which can wash salt off the roads.

Which roads are salted?

We carry out salting in a priority order in accordance with importance of the road. On every salting trip we cover nearly half of Hertfordshire's entire road network - over 1,500 miles (2,200km). This is the equivalent of salting the roads from Lands End to John O'Groats and back!

Winter service

Every year we review our Winter Service Operational Plan to clarify the objectives and priorities of our service and ensure we're meeting the county's needs.

We have 58 vehicles delivering our winter maintenance service. The vehicles have satellite technology fitted, enabling us to pinpoint exactly where our lorries are and which roads they have salted at any given moment.

A duty officer is on call 24 hours a day throughout the winter to review all the available information and plan the timing and extent of action.

In really extreme conditions we call upon an extended team of more than 50 farmers and landowners across the county who are paid to support us when necessary and who have equipment provided by us to assist with snow clearance. When this additional support is needed, our works team co-ordinates all activity to ensure effective gritting and snow clearance across Hertfordshire.

Advice to drivers

Always take care when driving in icy conditions and never assume that the road is clear of ice.Before setting out
Don't make unnecessary journeys when the weather is bad and, in extreme conditions, stay off the road
Move more slowly, steer smoothly and brake gently
Use gears to slow down to minimise the risk of skidding
Plan a route that keeps to treated roads, trunk roads and motorways where possible
Keep sunglasses handy to avoid glare from low winter sun
Keep windscreens clean
Wear driving gloves not winter gloves, so you can grip the steering wheel properly
Tyre condition makes all the difference get them checked
Check your lights work correctly
Keep your distance from spreaders and the vehicle in front
Ask yourself if your journey is absolutely necessary
Check the local and national weather forecasts
Listen to local and national radio for travel information
Tell someone what time you expect to arrive
Be prepared for unexpected delays. Take warm clothes, food, boots and a torch, and in snowy conditions, a spade
Clear your windows and mirrors before you set out and carry a screen scraper and de-icer

The facts

Did you know?

We have a working stock of over 12,000 tonnes of salt available
There are 11 weather recording stations across the county
It takes 2 hours to complete a typical precautionary salt
Each time we salt we use 300 tonnes of salt, 300 gallons of fuel and cover 1,500 miles (2500km)
Last year we made 54 salting outings
We provide over 800 salt bins across the county at known trouble spots