Highways During Winter

What does the County Council do to assist drivers in wintry conditions?

Weather forecasts are received daily from Meteogroup by experienced decision makers, who monitor the weather conditions throughout the day and night 7 days a week.

When ice or snow is forecast for a route the County Council applies salt to predetermined roads which have been identified as being the most critically important to the majority of the road users in Ceredigion. These predetermined or precautionary routes amount to approximately 609km of road, which represents some 27% of the road network of Ceredigion andincludes the entire trunk, and principal road system and the most important B, C and Unclassified roads.

As a second priority, during prolonged periods of severe weather, and upon successful completion of the Trunk, Primary Routes and other routes identifies as the principal network, treatment may be given, on a priority basis, to include these other roads, footways, cycleways and car parks.

Where accumulations of snow have formed, snow clearing of roads by conventional ploughing is undertaken and in extreme circumstances, snow blowers, excavators and loading shovels are deployed.

The department also maintain a significant number of salt bins to allow self-help by motorists and pedestrians, mainly on parts of the network away from the precautionary routes at known trouble-spots throughout the county.

Precautionary Salting Routes

Winter maintenance carried out by Ceredigion County Council and Mid-Wales Trunk Road Agency. Click here to view interactive map.

What resources are retained by Ceredigion?

Stockpiles of salt totalling 5,750 tonnes are stored at the 2 Highway Depots located at Aberystwyth and near Llandysul. This is spread on the carriageway by a modern fleet of 29 vehicles driven by a team of fully trained operators to ensure the optimum and most effective use of the equipment and valuable resource.

Driving in Winter

Drivers are advised:

• To plan their route carefully.
• Where possible, use those treated roads incorporated in the precautionary schedule.
• In icy conditions it is essential that you drive more carefully.
• Slow down as soon as you are aware of ice.
• Steer gently and avoid harsh braking.
• Maintain a safe distance from winter service vehicles and overtake very carefully, gritting lorries are designed to spread salt across the entire width of the carriageway.

Please remember, despite our best efforts, winter weather can still make roads dangerous. Motorists are expected to drive in accordance with the conditions. You are also reminded that during periods of low temperatures, ice can still be present in isolated locations after or prior to the application of salt.

Contact:

Daytime telephone: 01545 572572
Evening and weekend: South - 01239 851604 North - 01970 625277