How, when and where we grit roads
How do you know when roads need to be gritted?
Our weather provider MetDesk sends us a report at around 11am forecasting what the road surface temperatures will be overnight and the following morning. We then consider:
- the predicted road surface temperatures
- how long it takes to grit the primary routes
- when the predicted road surface temperatures are set to rise
- any other contributory factors that may affect the service
An updated forecast is received at 6pm which enables us to review the decisions taken.
How do you decide which roads need to be gritted first?
We are required to prioritise our road and footpath gritting routes.
Following a consultation with Emergency Services, local communities and Elected Members our primary, secondary and tertiary routes were decided. The review considered:
- how much traffic uses the road
- whether the road is a primary emergency route
- if the route is at a higher altitude and therefore more likely to be affected by winter conditions
- if it is a main road, or provides a link into a neighbouring area
There are currently no plans to undertake a large scale review of our routes.
How do we know when to treat our roads?
We receive a forecast at around 1100 from our weather forecast provider MetDesk specifically for the Scottish Borders area, giving us forecast road surface temperatures. We then make a decision when to send out salting crews at a time before the predicted temperatures are due to fall close to or below freezing point.
It takes approximately two to two and a half hours to cover one priority route and the grit needs time to work on the road surface. We also investigate the time the road surface temperatures are due to rise and decide when is best to treat priority and secondary routes in the morning.
Does the Council grit trunk roads?
No, we’re not responsible for maintenance of trunk roads in the Borders. You can find information about who maintains trunk roads.
Which roads are gritted first?
During spells of wintry weather, primary routes are gritted first to ensure that traffic on the core network can keep moving.
Our Primary network serves the larger communities and allow most road users to commute across the Borders, to the Borders General Hospital and into neighbouring areas.
Why can’t you grit every road?
We aim to grit all affected roads in order of priority and when the weather conditions persist for a period of time.
Our road network is almost 2k miles long, with primary routes covering 37% of the network.
How long does it take to grit primary routes?
There are 28 primary routes, and each route takes up to two and a half hours to grit, when severe ice and snowfall occurs this may prolong these treatment times substantially.
The gritting fleet are based at eight depots around the Borders and are deployed to serve the surrounding area.
When are secondary routes treated?
Secondary routes will be treated when:
- primary routes have been completed
- time and resources allow
- when freezing temperatures are forecast to continue beyond 10am
The timing and level of treatment on secondary routes is dependent on the weather conditions at the time.
We may find it difficult to treat secondary routes during severe weather as we need to keep primary routes open and safe to travel on. This involves repeated treatment/clearing on the primary routes.
Why do some roads get gritted more often than others?
Primary routes are gritted first to ensure that traffic on the primary network can keep moving.
Primary routes serve the larger communities and allow most road users to commute across the Borders, to the Borders General Hospital and into neighbouring areas.
What’s the point of keeping primary routes open if people can’t get to them?
Primary routes interconnect the larger towns and the wider road network, and serve the majority of Borders residents.
What time do you normally grit?
Gritting is normally carried out early in the morning and late afternoon/early evening, depending on the forecast.
In addition, we have a standby rota in place and can call staff/contractors out through the evening and night to treat specific routes if required.
Why can’t you grit 24 hours a day?
Once salt has been laid it turns to brine which remains on the road surface for several hours and is effective at preventing the build up of ice forming.
This is a process which needs time to happen, so it isn’t efficient to constantly apply salt to the network and would be a waste of salt. There would also be a negative impact on the environment to do so.
There are also legal limitations governing the amount of time staff can work and drive in a 24 hour period, and we don’t have enough staff to operate all day every day given these limitations.
We do however monitor our primary routes continually throughout a 24 hour period and resources can be deployed to address issues that may arise as a result of changes in the weather conditions.
Can you draft in staff from other areas to help with gritting?
Yes, we draw from other areas of the Council, and also external resources if required.
What does the driver do when gritting a route?
Drivers load and then drive the gritter, operating the spreader. During snow conditions they fit and operate the ploughs and scrapers that we use.
While driving the gritter they follow a predetermined prioritised route.
The spread rate is determined as part of the initial decision making when the forecast in received each day.
The drivers don’t decide the rate of spread, but they can increase spread rates to spot treat if they feel it’s appropriate given the conditions they encounter whilst out on the route.
Drivers also note the weather conditions of the route and relay this to the foreperson or office staff when they return to the depot.
What do you use to treat the roads?
Although the term grit is used to describe the material, it is actually 6mm rock salt