How Sheffield City Council is preparing for winter weather

As part of the Streets Ahead programme, the council’s highways contractor Amey is responsible for keeping the city’s hilly road network safe and moving over the winter period.

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With 19 gritting vehicles already on standby 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week until next May, the council inisists Streets Ahead is ‘winter ready’.

As colder temperatures start to creep in, the gritters have already undergone their annual service to make sure they are in shape for the coming months.

Councillor Mark Jones, the council’s cabinet member for environment, street scene and climate change, said: “Winter is always a busy period for the Streets Ahead workers, with unpredictable weather and hilly terrain to contend with.

“But with planning happening all year round and a fleet of gritting lorries on standby, Amey make sure that they’re ready to support Sheffield through the toughest of weather conditions.

“As well as preparing to treat the roads, Amey continuously track the weather forecast so that provisions can be made well in advance and they are as ready as they can be when temperatures drop.

“Streets Ahead operate a complex and robust service throughout the winter period but we all need to remember to do our bit by taking extra care in icy conditions and leaving extra time for journeys across the city.”

The Streets Ahead gritting vehicles spread grit and plough before, during and after it snows.

Sheffield’s two salt barns, based at the Olive Grove depot, are already full in preparation for dealing with whatever the weather may have in store.

Last winter, despite the lack of any significant snowfall, Streets Ahead completed 129 grit runs, spreading almost 7,500 tonnes of grit on the city’s roads.

The salt dome holds 9,500 tonnes of grit, ensuring that supplies never run low when they are needed the most.

Coun Jones added: “Winter on the roads is likely to look a bit different this year.

“Amey are continuing to monitor Government guidelines around working practices and Covid-19, but it’s still important we all prepare for adverse weather and stay in the know when it comes to ice and snow.”

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