Winter is well and truly here, and with the colder mornings and nights now upon us, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is doing all it can to keep the main roads open and residents moving while on their journeys.
Only last weekend, our Highways crews were out in shifts night and day, treating the main routes around our County Borough and spreading around 1,000 tonnes of rock salt due to the drop in temperature and the snow and ice experienced in some areas.
How we treat our roads through the winter months
While most people are fast asleep, with fewer vehicles on the road, the Council’s highways road treatment fleet can be found making their way around over 400km of priority routes.
For the side streets which the large Council vehicles cannot get around, more than 1,200 self-help rock bins are provided at locations across the County Borough to help residents treat their own areas safely. These bins are regularly monitored and restocked when needed, particularly after a spell of inclement weather.
Rock Salt Bins – Request a refill, new or replacement bin online
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Out Of Hours Response Team also travel the County Borough whenever inclement weather is forecast, including the festive season, on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day if needed.
This could mean treating the main network across the County Borough, treating Council car parks and treating higher routes, depending on the severity of the expected conditions.
Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, with responsibility for Highways and Streetcare, said: “It’s the time of year when the weather turns much colder, with a greater risk of sleet, snow and icy conditions. But throughout this time, our Council Streetcare and Highways teams are doing their best to maintain our highways, often in the most challenging of conditions.
“Our crews will be out working whenever needed, maintaining the routes across Rhondda Cynon Taf, day and night, often whilst many of us are asleep, often at weekends, and even over the Christmas and New Year period if required.
“However, despite our highways being treated with rock salt, it’s important that motorists realise that they still need to take their time and drive safely, according to the winter conditions.
“Just because the road is treated, it doesn’t mean it is skid-proof, and one of the biggest issues our teams face each year is vehicles overtaking our gritting lorries as they treat the roads.
“We urge all motorists to slow down and be patient and acknowledge the work our crews are doing treating the network on their behalf. We also ask motorists to be considerate with their parking at this time of year. Avoid double-parking and keep junctions clear in order for our large vehicles to get through.”
The Council’s fleet includes 10 frontline salt vehicles, 10 second-line vehicles with ploughs available, two loading shovels, 13 general-purpose vehicles and eight 4x4 vehicles, as well as around 40 tippers also available to assist during severe weather emergencies.
All main rock salt vehicles are fitted with the latest technology in salt distribution, including trackers and salt monitoring systems, which allow the Council to programme the vehicles accurately, depending on the route and weather conditions. This results in a more effective and efficient use of the rock salt supplies, reducing costs and the environmental impact that the rock salt has.
The Council undertakes its annual Winter Service between the core period of October 1 to and April 30. In a single run of the Precautionary Salting Network (priority routes), staff cover a length of 267 miles – that’s the equivalent of travelling from Pontypridd to Birmingham……and back!
During each run, anything between 50 and 70 tonnes of rock salt is spread, depending on the severity of the weather conditions.
To become effective, rock salt needs to be laid on the highway by our vehicles and then crushed by other vehicles in order to dissolve. Rock salt becomes less effective when temperatures drop below -5C.
Self-help rock salt bins are provided to allow the public to treat highways and footpaths, not personal driveways. It is also a time to call on elderly, vulnerable, family, friends and neighbours to ensure their safety and well-being.
The Council’s Your Neighbours Need You campaign encourages residents to help each other if it is safe to do so, especially during periods of heavy snowfall. The campaign promotes a number of small actions that ‘good neighbours’ can undertake themselves during severe winter weather.
During the winter months, motorists are advised to follow television and radio weather forecasts, and the Council’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as allowing extra time for journeys.
Residents are also advised to follow the Council’s social media accounts for regular schools and local services updates.
View the Council’s Winter Service Operational Plan
To report any issues after 5pm or at weekends, call the Council’s Out Of Hours service on 01443 425011.
Posted on 16/12/2022