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Welcome To Wirral

Winter Maintenance

Wirral has its own weather station and special computer links which provide the Met Office with data. Together with other weather stations across Merseyside, this enables Manchester weather centre to forecast Wirral’s weather and more importantly the road surface temperatures.

Forecast information is updated 24 hours a day and used by trained Wirral staff to make the decision on whether or not to grit. Salting decisions are taken very seriously to ensure road safety, to avoid unnecessary gritting and to protect the environment.

Unnecessary gritting poses a threat to the environment as most of the 3,500 tonnes of salt spread on to roads will eventually be washed off by rain or snow and find its way into a watercourse.

We grit all major roads and bus routes in Wirral, whenever it is necessary. Side roads are not gritted unless they are on exceptionally steep hills or at problem locations, eg at roundabouts.

 

Where does the Council grit?

Many residents are surprised to learn there is no Government requirement for local Council’s to treat any roads during freezing weather. While Wirral Council does make great efforts, it is not possible to grit all roads. We have to give priority to maintaining safe driving conditions along specific routes. These include:

Commuter routes and main bus routes

Roads used by emergency vehicles

Pavements are not treated, except when icy conditions last for several days. Then busy pavements, such as those in shopping areas, will be gritted. More than 60 salt storage containers are located across Wirral which you can use on a self help basis to spread salt on problem spots.

 

Can you grit my road?

If you have a particular problem location – we will ask our inspectors to investigate.

 

Do you provide grit bins?

If you have a particular problem location – we will ask our inspectors to investigate. More than 60 salt storage containers are located across Wirral, which you can use on a self help basis to spread salt on problem spots.

A list is available of grit bin locations in Wirral.

 

Are you responsible for gritting the motorway?

Gritting the M53 motorway is the responsibility of the Highways Agency. The routes are maintained by WS Atkins Telephone: 01925 282 001.

 

Can I get a grit bin removed – because of problems with vandalism?

If somebody wants a grit bin removed you will need the support other local residents. We will investigate each request.

 

Does gritting always work?

Unfortunately, no matter how good the forecast, there are still times when our ability to salt roads effectively is limited. The following situations can create difficulties:When overnight rain stops just before dawn, the sky clears and temperatures drop rapidly below freezing, salting cannot begin until the rain has stopped as it would be washed away. In these circumstances some roads have become icy before the gritters have finished the three hour salting operation.

When ‘dawn frost’ occurs on dry roads – early morning dew falls on a cold road and freezes on impact, it is extremely difficult to forecast when or where to occur.

Rush hour snowfall – when rain turns to snow during peak traffic early salting is not possible.

How you can help yourself…

It is important to remember that gritting Wirral’s roads only reduces the risk of dangerous conditions for drivers – it cannot remove the risk altogether. Motorists hould always drive with extreme caution in icy weather.

 

For further information or to report a problem with regards to Winter Maintenance please, either call StreetScene on 606 2004, email streetscene@wirral.gov.uk or click on the "Request Service" button.

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