With more wintry conditions expected in the coming days and weeks, the Council’s Roads service is asking motorists to take particular care on the roads.
Shetland Islands Council took delivery yesterday (Wednesday) of over 4000 tonnes of road salt, bringing reserves up to a healthy level as the isles head into what’s likely to be the coldest period of the winter. A freight vessel arrived into Scalloway Harbour yesterday morning, with road salt from a mine in Northern Ireland. A fleet of lorries shuttled the salt loads to the Council’s main stockpile at the nearby Scord Quarry.
Gritting teams have been salting and pre-salting the road network regularly in recent weeks. Salt is used on the main roads, where it is more effective when more vehicles pass over it, and a mix of salt and grit is used on side roads, where there is a lower level of traffic. With fewer vehicles on many roads at the moment, the Roads service is monitoring the main network and may switch to a salt and grit mix should the conditions require it, to maintain road safety.
Motorists are asked to take particular care when driving on previously gritted roads, and to keep their speed down, as there is a risk of grit being thrown up by passing vehicles. The roads will be swept at the end of the winter season to remove any loose material.
Dave Coupe, Executive Manager – Roads, said: “We’re prepared for winter with a fresh stockpile of road salt which will see us through a cold few weeks. With the lower volumes of traffic we’re seeing now, we may use a mix of road salt and grit to improve tyre grip in some places, if conditions require it. Vehicle drivers should be aware of the road surface ahead of them, and reduce their speed to limit the risk of stone chips being thrown up.”