Roads - gritting
Bedfordshire Highways works in partnership with both unitary councils Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough.
Bedfordshire Highways is responsible for salting the network when temperatures drop below zero to make sure all main routes on the network as safe as possible from ice. We will also clear any snowfall and help keep local roads clear for drivers. Bedfordshire Highways will salt and clear snow across both unitary areas with the exception of some roads in the urban areas of Bedford, Bromham, Biddenham, Great Denham, Kempston and Elstow, where Bedford Borough Council salts in these areas using their own resources. To find out more about our Winter Maintenance Service Plan visit the transport pages of both Bedford Borough (opens in new window) and Central Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire Winter Salting and Snow Clearing for 2009/10
When do we salt?
Salting is carried out when road temperatures are expected to drop below zero and when the roads are expected to be damp. Ice will not form on a dry road surface in a dry atmosphere. We try to carry out salting either after the evening or before the morning peak traffic periods. However, during adverse weather conditions, we may have to salt at other times, even 24 hours around the clock if we have snow.
How do we know when to salt?
We use a computer system that collects weather and road information at different sites across both unitary councils. It also tells us if any salt is left on the road from previous salting. This enables us to use salt as wisely as possible. The Met Office (new window) use this weather information along with their other weather data to predict weather conditions and road surface temperatures across both unitaries. It is on this information that we base our decision on whether to salt or not and at what time of the day or night.
What roads do we salt?
A salting network of roads has been created so that roads carrying the highest amount of traffic and with the highest risk of accidents are treated. This means that just under half of the road network in both councils is salted.
All A and B roads are salted along with other important local roads. We also try to ensure that the majority of road users live within a reasonable distance of a salted route.
We have created a map in this leaflet which shows the salting routes for Bedford and Central Bedfordshire for this winter. However, in prolonged snow and ice, additional roads may be treated, but only when the normal salting network shown on the map is relatively clear of ice and snow.
In any case, in the event of snow, roads will be cleared according to their priority. In really severe weather or during exceptional events such as flu pandemics or civil emergencies, it may not even be possible to keep our priority network clear when we get heavy snow.
In such cases we will reduce our network to just the main A and B roads. If this happens at any time in the future then we will let people know through the local media.
How do I get more information?
If you have any questions, please telephone your respective unitary council Highway Helpdesk on 01234 228661 for Bedford Borough and 0300 300 8049 for Central Bedfordshire Council. Bedfordshire Highways does not look after motorways and trunk roads. Carillion URS look after the M1, A1, A5 and A421. They can be contacted on 01536 413700.
Winter Salting Leaflet 2010 (application/pdf; 1821kB)
County map of Bedfordshire roads that are salted (application/pdf; 965kB)
Advice for drivers...
Check your vehicles for:
- Correct tyre tread depths and pressures. Don’t forget the spare.
- Lights are working and are kept clean.
- The correct level of antifreeze. A garage can check this for you.
- Wiper blades are in good condition. A windscreen washer bottle that contains an additive to prevent freezing.
- A battery that is in good condition. Winter driving will make extra demands on your battery.
Before driving off:
- Check the weather conditions both for your outward journey and any return.
- Plan your route and leave in plenty of time. Even consider whether your journey is essential.
Remember:
- Speed kills. Do not travel too fast. Cut your speed in possible icy conditions.
- It is far safer to travel a little further on a salted road than to use untreated roads.
- Keep your distance. It takes much longer to stop in ice and snow.
- Try to anticipate the actions of other drivers.
- Avoid harsh acceleration, steering or braking.
- Keep in as high a gear as possible.
- Allow more time for your journey.
- Consider whether your journey is necessary.
And finally...
- Always drive with care and never assume a road has been
Highways Winter Maintenance Plan (application/pdf; 391kB)