Torbay Council

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Winter Advice for Residents

What we do

The Council will react to forecast weather conditions and pre-treat the most heavily trafficked roads with roadsalt when frost, ice or snow events are predicted.
We will also log telephoned reports of problems on local roads and dispatch gritting crews to these when they become available. However, resources and time means that there may be delays in responding to problems on some local roads.

What we can’t always do

In times of heavy snowfalls or during prolonged periods of sub zero temperature, the Council can not treat every road or footpath within the Bay.
The fleet of 6 dedicated gritters will take up to 2.5 hours to treat primary routes and a further similar period to tackle secondary routes if the weather conditions demand round the clock action.
In the periods of the most severe weather or when localised phenomenon such as ‘freezing rain’ occurs it may mean that there are no crews available to respond to ‘off route’ locations.
Whilst these occasions and conditions are not normally experienced in Torbay the last two winters have shown that even our mild climate may be susceptible to extreme changes.

What you can do

The Council has provided 140 gritbins which have been located in convenient locations around the Bay. Many of these locations have been revised recently to allow more residents access to this self help facility.
These bins are serviced by our contractor TOR2 and regularly refilled throughout the season (whilst national salt stocks last). They are there for use by all residents and people are encouraged to take salt away and to store it in a suitable container (or carrier bag) in a convenient location at home ready for use.
The Council’s website states when our gritters will be in action, this will be the optimum time for a resident or group of residents to treat their own road to prevent the formation of ice. Advice of the gritters being activated will also be given on local radio and through the Council’s Twitter and Facebook networks.

How to use the salt provided

If salt is spread in advance of the expected ice event it is at its most effective and will keep most roads safe and usable.
Salt spread in small quantities at the optimum time will prevent ice formation and mean that nobody will have to negotiate icy paths and roads in order to access a gritbin. It only requires 1 to 2 tablespoonfuls of roadsalt per square metre to achieve this.
If salt is laid on top of ice that has already formed it is not effective and the ice will remain intact until temperatures begin to rise. Increasing the volume of salt used will not make the ice thaw any quicker and will only result in salt stocks running out sooner.
Please use the salt provided sparingly, but by all means prepares yourselves by taking some now rather than waiting until ice or snow is stopping you from leaving your home.
If you see that your nearest gritbin is running low, please ring 01803 550405 and it will be listed for refilling.
If you are able to keep your own road clear by self help you will be providing a valuable public service and benefiting your community. However do not put yourself at risk and by all means contact the Council at highways@torbay.gov.uk opens in a new window or TOR2’s 24 hour contact at 01803 550405.
Please ensure that you always put your own safety first when spreading salt and ensure that you can be seen by drivers.

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