Highways and Met Office commence winter service 29 October 2012

The Met Office is teaming up with the highway authorities to provide a renewed service to hauliers for the forthcoming winter weather.

"Insufficient preparation can lead to lives being put at risk, people stranded for uncomfortable lengths of time, and emergency services becoming stretched," comments Malcolm Bingham, head of road network management policy, Freight Transport Association (FTA).

He stresses that being aware of approaching winter weather is vital, as is the availability of reliable information that allows informed decisions on where and when to travel.

As such, the new system that informs fleet operators of approaching storms that can bring high winds, ice and snow – and covers how those might impact on the network – is to be welcomed, he says.

FTA is also warning drivers of the need to have vehicles properly prepared.

"The decision about what an individual transport operator should do is related to the sort of operations being undertaken and, whilst a few years ago there was a cry for all goods vehicles to have winter tyres, it is now recognised that operators should be allowed to make their own decisions," states Bingham.

Talking of new gritters operations commencing this year, ht says: "The new method used by the national authorities is to spread salt in a brine solution, which is more accurate.

"It also preserves salt stocks, as they use less in the spread, and it does not blow away, which tends to happen in wintry conditions when dry salt is applied. If drivers are in the vicinity of a spreader they should back off and let it get on with its work. It will only be there for a relatively short time."

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
Freight Transport Association Ltd

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