Winter weather warning for Hertfordshire residents

TRANSPORT bosses have warned Hertfordshire residents to take care while out walking or driving this week, with snow and ice a possibility as temperatures drop.

Hertfordshire County Councillor Stuart Pile, executive member for highways and transport, has assured residents that the county is once again prepared for the winter, with sufficient supplies of salt and Hertfordshire Highways on 24 hour standby, ready to grit main routes if needed.

But he warned people to take care on the roads, and to allow extra time to make their journeys.

“While we are prepared and will be going out salting as necessary, please allow extra time for your journeys and be especially careful in the icy conditions,” Cllr Pile said.

“While salt is the best material we have available to treat snow and ice, if roads and pavements are salted we all still need to be careful and should not drive or walk as if weather conditions are normal.”

He also asked residents for understanding when it came to salting priority routes.

“While we wish we could clear every inch of Hertfordshire’s roads and pavements we have to direct our resources towards keeping our main routes - the areas where most people drive and walk - as safe and clear as possible.

“If we are hit by severe weather we hope residents will appreciate that, as we have done in previous years, we will be working around the clock on the massive task of keeping our main transport routes open and moving.”

Cllr Pile also addressed the issue of salt supplies, which has become an annual national concern in recent years.

“We have sufficient supplies for normal winter conditions. We have also supplied each of the district and borough councils with a supply of salt so that they can assist us in extreme conditions.”

“If the country does experience exceptional winter conditions, we may again be asked by the Department for Transport to reduce our salt usage.