Gritting will continue in the Cotswolds (From Cotswold Journal)

Gritting will continue in the Cotswolds

4:39pm Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in News By Freya Leng

HIGHWAYS teams will continue gritting runs across Gloucestershire, despite the Met Office predicting an end to the heavy snow.

Weather forecasts suggest the county is now past the worst of the snowfall, with tomorrow expected to be dry in most areas and only a light band of wintry weather anticipated on Friday.

The seasonal weather is expected to be replaced by windy, wet weather at the weekend, but with the chance of further snow greatly reduced.

All the key routes in the county are open and passable with care but due to extra snowfall overnight, there is still a risk of snow patches and slush on higher ground.

With the current low temperatures, highways teams warn that icy patches are likely on minor roads, but it is anticipated that teams will be able to get out and treat some of these areas in the next couple of days.

Meanwhile local snow plough operators are active in areas across the county.

While Highways are tackling priority roads, residents are asked to remember that limited grit stocks exist in parish and town bins across Gloucestershire.

Communities are encouraged to contact their parish and town councils, which were given the chance to stockpile bags of salt in the summer and so may have some available to treat footways and replenish bins.

Vulnerable residents are also warned to take care when walking on pavements in rural areas.

John Kay, Area Highways Manager, said: “We believe we are now past the worst of the bad weather this week, which should give us the time to tackle some of the minor roads in the county, though key routes will still be the priority.

“As the road network returns to normality, we would urge people to still be prepared for further potentially icy conditions that could affect their journeys.”

Follow @GlosHighways, @GlosCC, @GlosFire and @Glos_Police on Twitter for updates.

Tips on driving in icy conditions and keeping you and your neighbours warm and well during the wintry period can be found at gloucestershire.gov.uk/winter.