Nearly 5,000 tons of salt used on West Sussex roads this year

With colder weather set to hit West Sussex tomorrow (Thursday January 29) motorists are being reminded to take care and drive to match the conditions.
Gritters have already gone out 31 times this year.Gritters have already gone out 31 times this year.
Gritters have already gone out 31 times this year.

West Sussex County Council’s gritters have been out to salt over 1,000 miles of road every time the temperature has dropped to keep people safe.

Already this year they have:

Gone out to salt West Sussex roads on 31 separate runs;

Salted 31,000 miles of the county’s road network;

Used 4,850 tons of salt.

Despite this, the county council says that no guarantee can be given that treated roads will always be clear of ice or snow.

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County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Pieter Montyn, said: “We aim to keep all road users safe whenever they travel along our roads.

“However it must be remembered that salted roads do not guarantee drivers 100 per cent traction in icy conditions.

“It takes time for the salt to become effective after roads are salted.

“Rain can wash salt off roads leaving them prone to re-icing, and in severe cold weather even salt will not prevent roads from icing.”

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Mr Montyn added: “If you are up early and driving to work after a freezing night, please take extra care and drive slower than normal.

“It is really important people drive according to the conditions of the road, regardless of whether it has been salted or not.”

For more information about gritting routes, visit www.westsussex.gov.uk and search under ‘Winter Roads’.

To stay up to date with the latest information, follow @WSHighways on Twitter.