SHEFFIELD’s gritting service chief says it is ‘fully prepared’ for heavy snow to hit the city over the next few days, writes Ellen Beardmore.
Streets Ahead - the highway contract run by Amey on behalf of Sheffield Council - said gritting teams have been out day and night over the past week to prevent snow and ice forming on roads.
It is gritting all priority routes to tackle with the snow.
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A fleet of 21 gritters, all fitted with snow ploughs, are prepared to clear snow from priority routes.
An extra three snow ploughs will be out and five contractor vehicles will assist with the snow clearing operations.
Chris Morris, Amey’s operational director, said: “We are fully prepared for the snow and are doing all that we can before it arrives.
“As we’re expecting heavy snow, it’s more than likely that it will settle and we are geared up to deal with this.
“All our gritters are fitted with snow ploughs and we will be ploughing across Sheffield non-stop until the priority routes are clear.
“Once we have cleared these routes we will move on to clearing the side roads of snow.”
As reported earlier today The Met Office said up to ten cms of snow could hit the region from lunchtime tomorrow.
Temperatures are expected to plummet to minus six tonight and stay at freezing on Friday.
Mr Morris also urged people to park cars sensibly to allow gritters to get through.
He added: “The timing of the snow may mean that we’re out ploughing in rush hour traffic and if this is needed, we ask all travellers to bear with us.”
Other staff will be brought in to clear snow from key walking routes and around hospitals, added Coun Jack Scott, the council’s cabinet member for environment, recycling and street scene.
He said: “We have over 2,000 grit bins for people to use themselves.
“We also urge people to take care when travelling during snowy conditions and if driving, to drive appropriately for the conditions and allow extra time for journeys.”
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