WHEN you’re settling down on a bitter frosty evening this winter, spare a thought for the road gritters who will spread thousands of tonnes of salt to keep Barnsley’s roads safe.
The salt is stored at Highways England’s Birdwell depot off Sheffield Road, where the team has been busy gearing up for winter.
There’s roughly about four to five thousand tonnes of salt stored at the depot, and is replenished weekly depending on usage.
It will be used to grit motorways and A roads in Barnsley and the surrounding area, to help keep the road network running.
Supervisor Shane Abson said drivers must grit their routes and be back within two hours. But in extreme weather, like the heavy snow which fell a few years ago, the gritters are out constantly.
Shane said much of the salt was mined in the UK, in the same way coal was mined. But some of it is also imported.
It’s mixed with brine on the gritter, and is already wet it lands on the road so it works much quicker.
Shane added: “Gritting is essential to keep the roads open for everyone. The gritters only travel at 50 to 55 miles per hour. We know people need to pass the vehicles, but just pass with care and consideration. People don’t like their cars being hit with grit, so they speed past and beep their horns but we’re just doing our jobs.”
He said the council has its own gritting procedures, but works with the council when help is requested.
Sujad Hussain, manager of ten depots including the one at Birdwell, said: “Our message is that we are ready and prepared for winter, we’ve got 45 gritters, four snow blowers, and more than a thousand staff who are ready to go 24/7.
“We’re asking that people are also prepared. We know people need to travel, and we want people to get on with their daily lives.
“But check the weather conditions, check your vehicle is fit to drive. If you can delay your journey then do so, but if not be careful.
“Carry some warm clothing, possibly a bit of food and if you do get stuck or break down then you’re not exposed to the cold weather.”
