~~~

 

North Yorkshire Winter Services

North Yorkshire County Council have produced a booklet on services provided to keep the North Yorkshire road network up and running during the winter period from October to April. Equipment is checked to ensure that it is available for the first signs of snow or frost. Different methods and machines are used for different conditions. For normal icy road forecasts 100 gritters are available to carry out gritting. For severe conditions and heavy snow additional vehicles, staff and hired equipment augment the gritters. In rural areas NYCC call on the help of local farmers.

It aims to cope with the most severe weather. However, it is not practicable to keep all these clear of ice and snow at all times. It is important that you are aware of the basis on which gritters, snow ploughs and snow blowers are employed in as far as the roads immediately surrounding Barton are concerned.

Detailed weather forecasts together with a 24 hour consultancy service, available to Highways staff ensures that updates on conditions are readily available. Vital back up information is available via a sophisticated system of ice prediction computers and weather stations located throughout the county. These all help to determine when salting needs to be carried out on main routes to prevent frost and ice from forming on the road surfaces. Salting, when necessary, is mostly done in the evening or early morning. Continuous snowfall and strong winds will influence snow clearing operations considerably and will therefore delay completion times.

A prioritized system of pre-salting comes into force when needed. Routes are divided into categories:

  • Priority One Routes [includes all principal roads and important B and C Class unclassified routes as approved by Members] - preferential treatment in all conditions. Should be treated by 0700 hrs with remainder by 0730 hrs.
  • Priority Two routes [includes the remainder of B and C Class and unclassified roads as approved by Members although not all remaining C Class roads will be Priority Two - this Priority includes C12 - through Barton to Stapleton]. Will be treated as soon as practicable after Priority One routes have been completed.
  • Priority Three Routes [the remainder of the network including estate roads]. These routes will not normally be treated unless freezing conditions persist for more than 72 hours
Snow Clearance Priority
Carriageways
  • Light snow (up to 25 mm) - pre-salting
  • Moderate snowfall (25 mm to 100 mm) - Priority One routes passable in 3 hours; Priority Two routes when conditions allow resources to be freed from Priority One routes.
  • Heavy snowfall (over 100 mm) - Available resources, including reserves, contractors and farmers will be mobilized to keep Priority One routes passable and to maintain at least one route to all centres of population.

NYCC recommend that you drive in a manner to suit the conditions. Remember that some roads, particularly minor ones will not be treated it is well to expect ice to form anywhere, anytime, especially at night. In heavy snow stay away from high ground and remote areas if you can. If advised by the Police or Highways staff to stay at home, please stay at home, unless your journey is absolutely necessary.

When traveling in adverse conditions make sure that your vehicle is reliable enough for the journey. Take enough clothing, food and hot drinks to keep you warm if you get stuck and a mobile telephone (if you have one). Let someone know your route and expected time of arrival, so they can raise the alarm if necessary.

REMEMBER
Make sure you can see
Make sure you can be seen
Watch that road surface
Do everything gently: accelerating, steering and braking
Car repairs are expensive but people cannot always be repaired

General Winter Maintenance Enquiries:

Telephone: 01609 780780 ext: 2168 or e-mail

Richmond Division: 0845 3669501

(Source 'Your Guide to Winter Service in North Yorkshire' [2005] - North Yorkshire County Council publication) Website

jobs | contact | privacy | user terms | disclaimer | links | sitemap