Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads prepare gritters for winter

There are no changes to this year’s gritting routes, which focus on the Island’s main roads and those connecting towns.

Around 350kms, some 43 per cent of the network, are treated during gritting runs.

Scroll down to watch Island Roads' video about gritting

You may see gritters out on the network this weekend but it's just the annual autumn parade to ensure the fleet and its drivers are fully prepared for the winter ahead.

Councillors visit Island Roads' gritters. (Image: Island Roads)

Isle of Wight Council members visit the gritters

Island Roads welcomed IW Council members recently, who saw first-hand the work that goes into keeping the network safe during cold conditions.

Elected members were invited to Island Roads’ winter maintenance HQ at Stag Lane to learn more about the highway PFI company’s work to grit the network in the event of freezing weather.

They were also given the chance to accompany a gritter driver on a short practice run.

“Our winter maintenance activity creates a lot of public interest so we thought it would be a good idea to invite local elected members along so they could see first-hand all that is involved,” said Island Roads maintenance and operations manager Dave Wallis.

“We hope they found the visit informative and are now even better placed to answer any queries on the subject they receive from their constituents.”

IW Council chairman Claire Critchison, along with daughters Leah, 12 and Alice, nine, was among members present.

Cllr Critchison said: “We may take it for granted that the gritters will be out to prepare the roads for freezing weather but it was interesting to see exactly what is involved in the process and how much work goes into ensuring the fleet is ready to spring into action.”

The winter maintenance season runs between November 1 and March 31 although resources are ready to be deployed outside these months if necessary.

Decisions on whether to undertake a gritting run are made based on localised weather information as well as readings from weather stations at Duxmore on Arreton Downs Road and Rowridge on the Middle Road at Calbourne.

The gritting routes – which are set by the IW Council – and other information on the winter maintenance service can be viewed at https://islandroads.com/winter-service/