Overnight temperatures are expected to drop close to zero until the new year

Cabinet member Rick Jewell with one of the council's gritting lorries (credit Enfield Council) — Cabinet member Rick Jewell with one of the council’s gritting lorries (credit Enfield Council)

Gritting lorries operated by Enfield Council have been loaded with salt in readiness for what is forecast to be a freezing festive period.

The large, bright yellow vehicles have been spreading grit on the borough’s main roads, footways and public highways since November and will continue to do so in the coming days and weeks as temperatures are forecast to fall close to zero overnight.

The close stocks a “mountain” of 1,200 tonnes of salt for the gritting season. The council’s winter maintenance plan includes the spreading of grit to prevent ice from forming, to melt ice and, if necessary, clear snow already formed after salting.

The council is using routing software and a satellite navigation system to enable operatives to accurately plan gritting routes efficiently.

The software records the locations gritted and the times and dates, including how much salt is spread to ensure there is no wastage.

Rick Jewell, the council’s cabinet member for transport and waste, visited the council’s Morson Road depot in Ponders End this week, to see how the actions detailed in Enfield’s winter plan are progressing.

Cllr Jewell said: “Keeping our residents, drivers and pedestrians safe during cold and bitter weather is a key priority for the council.

“We have been preparing months in advance to ensure our operatives and gritting vehicles are ready for action at the right times and continually consult with Met Office weather forecasts.

“Every time one of our gritters leaves the depot, it has capacity to spread salt on approximately 129 miles of the borough’s network.”

The priority areas for gritting are principal roads, main commuter routes, all bus routes, emergency services facilities and access to main industrial areas.

To find out more about the council’s winter maintenance plan:
Visit enfield.gov.uk/services/roads-and-transport/gritting-and-snow-clearance

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