Your Guide to Winter Maintenance in Staffordshire

Winter can present us with some very unpleasant and dangerous conditions. We want to make sure that your winter journey in Staffordshire is safe and trouble free - whatever the weather. To do this we have a host of tools at our disposal which help us to monitor the state of the roads, and a fleet of vehicles and specialist equipment to do the work.

High Quality Road Condition Forecasting
using road sensors, computer analysis and the meteorological office. We know when to salt before the roads start to freeze.
Experienced Decision Makers
utilising state of the art computer software to manage winter maintenance operations.
Responsive Service Provision
aiming to treat priority routes within two hours from start of salting.
High Quality Equipment
purpose built salt spreading and snow ploughing vehicles able to lay down precise quantities of salt to deal with the prevailing conditions.
Road Salting
42% of the road network is salted at a cost of around £27,500 per treatment - amounting to a total expenditure of £2.4 million, in an average winter.
Snow Clearing
Snow is cleared progressively starting with the most heavily trafficked roads.

Be Aware!

Not all roads are salted
Take special care on housing estates and lightly trafficked roads.
Putting salt on roads helps prevent the formation of ice. However, salt can be washed from the road by rain or melting snow.
Salt spreading vehicles can also be delayed by bad weather or heavy traffic.
Salt becomes less effective in extreme conditions.
The Highway Authority normally treats major routes as a priority, meaning that other roads do not receive attention straight away.
Therefore it is important to remember that on untreated road you must drive with extreme caution.

Driving in Poor Weather

Always remember that when driving in winter conditions you need to take extra care. Be prepared, as even if you start a journey in reasonable weather, conditions can quickly deteriorate.

The Higway Code advises that in icy or snowy weather;

Before starting your journey, clear snow and ice from windows, mirrors, lights and number plates of your vehicle. Make sure the windows are de-misted thoroughly.
Stopping distances can be ten times greater than on dry roads, so keep well behind the vehicle in front.
Be extra gentle on the controls when the roads are icy, as any sudden movement could cause you to skid. Drive at a slow speed in as high a gear as possible with low revs to avoid wheelspin.
When approaching bends and hazards, brake well before you reach the bend and try to brake only when travelling in a straight line, otherwise you might skid. Slow right down before turning and steer smoothly, avoiding sudden movements.
Check your grip on the road surface when there is snow or ice by choosing a safe place to brake gently. If the steering feel light this may indicate black ice and your vehicle losing grip on the road.

Remember To

keep your speed down
avoid harsh steering
brake and accelerate slowly
beware of vulnerable road users e.g. pedestrians and cyclists
use dipped headlights and foglights in fog and snow

Is Your Vehicle up to it?

In order that it can cope with conditions and not let you down, your vehicle needs to be ready for winter journeys; but always consider whether a journey in adverse conditions is absolutely necessary.

Check Points

Battery condition
Tyres properly inflated and check tread depth
Correct concentration of anti freeze/coolant
Windows clean with good visibility
Lights clean and working correctly
Wipers in good condition and washer reservoir full
Sufficient fuel for your journey (allow extra amount)
Spade, old matting/sacking
Torch
Blanket
Thermos flask (with hot drink)
Warm Clothing
Snack food (chocolate/biscuits)
Screen scraper and de-icer

If You Do Get Into Difficulty

Stay in your vehicle and keep the engine running (BUT switch off if you are stuck in a snow drift).
Make the vehicle/yourself as visible as possible to other road users/rescuers.
Keep Warm
If you use a mobile 'phone, give accurate details of your location.

Journey Preparation

Before setting off, ask yourself "Is the journey really necessary in these conditions?". Public transport may be appropriate.
Listen to local/national radio reports.
Ceefax/Teletext and RDS reports will give useful information.
Based on the information obtained, consider again whether the journey is absolutely necessary.
If the journey is essential, inform someone of your leaving/destination points and the estimated time of arrival.

Useful Local Radio Stations

BBC Radio Stoke	94.6 FM
BBC Radio WM	96.5 FM
Signal Radio	102.6 FM & 96.9 FM
Beacon Radio	97.2 FM
Heart FM	100.7 FM
BBC Radio Derby	92.2 FM & 95.3 FM
BBC Radio Shropshire	96.0 FM

Last Modified: 08/10/2008 14:38:38
Back to top