Winter weather updates

The latest update from the council today is that gritting vehicles are now only treating “Priority 1” routes across Cheshire East, which are ‘A’ roads and designated roads to and from Accident and Emergency departments.
All available resources are being used to pre-salt these roads. This will continue for the duration of the severe weather conditions with more freezing temperatures and snowfall forecast for the next 48 hours.

Cheshire East Council does have the option of loaning vehicles from West Cheshire should the conditions become more testing.

More than 500 tonnes of grit has been used to treat roads since December 31 2009. Deliveries of grit will continue this week, with some gritting vehicles loaded directly from the Winsford salt mine.

The A54 between Bosley and Buxton remains closed due to snow and ice.The A537 between Macclesfield and Buxton is passable with care.

A spokesperson said “We would urge anyone who intends to make a journey by foot or car to do so only if absolutely necessary”.

Following heavy snowfall overnight and during the morning Cheshire East Council is urging residents in Macclesfield and Congleton to only travel if absolutely necessary.

Those venturing out of the area, towards Manchester or Birmingham are also asked to check traffic reports before travelling.

Vehicles which have been abandoned in the snow are causing problems for gritting lorries and making some areas very difficult to treat.

All available gritting vehicles and snow ploughs have been treating roads overnight and will continue to do so throughout the morning and into the afternoon.

The A54 between Bosley and Buxton and the A537 between Macclesfield and Buxton both remain closed due to snow and ice.

The M6 Northbound at Junction 21A, driving conditions difficult due to snow and ice.

All available gritting vehicles have treated all priority routes across Cheshire East overnight and this morning. Crews were sent out in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday 6th) and will return to the roads this afternoon and again this evening - all gritting vehicles are currently being re-loaded at Winsford salt mine.

Crews will aim to treat some secondary routes or ‘B’ roads throughout today and they will also be salting footways across the region this afternoon.
Due to drifting snow, which is currently being ploughed, the A537 “Cat and Fiddle” and A54 remain closed.

A spokesperson from Cheshire East said “We would urge all local residents to make a journey by car or foot only if necessary and to check traffic reports before travelling.”

All priority routes were gritted twice last night and all vehicles have been reloaded this morning.

Cheshire East have announced that officers will today aim to salt routes surrounding local schools, day care centres and footways.

A spokesperson said “We are managing salt reserves carefully and constantly monitoring the weather conditions. However, with extremely low temperatures set to continue, it should be noted that salt becomes less effective below -5 degrees C.”

The A537 ‘Cat and Fiddle’ and A54 both remain closed due to snow.

Cheshire East Council is advising everyone, whether making a journey by car or by foot, to take extra care at this time. Only make a journey if necessary.

The gritting of all Priority 1 routes across Cheshire East took place in the early hours of this morning (Friday January 8). This will be repeated this afternoon and again this evening.
Yesterday, more than 100 operatives were sent out to salt footways across Cheshire East. This will be repeated, where possible, later today.
Snow ploughs have also been sent out to deal with areas hit by heavy snowfall, particularly on higher ground.

A spokesperson from Cheshire East said “Every effort is being made to treat roads surrounding local schools and day centres.”

“We are also managing our salt stocks carefully. All gritting vehicles are being reloaded once per day at the Winsford salt mine.”
Further freezing temperatures are expected over the next 48 hours, along with a forecast for snow in and around Cheshire East. In extremely low temperatures, it should be noted that salt becomes less effective below -5 degrees C.

The A54 and A537 “Cat and Fiddle” both remain closed due to snow and ice. When open they will only passable with the use of a 4x4 vehicle.
Again, Cheshire East urge anyone who intends to make a journey by foot or car to do so only if absolutely necessary.

The latest statement issued by Cheshire East this morning confirmed that all priority 1 routes across Cheshire East have been gritted overnight and again in the early hours of this morning.

All gritting vehicles have been reloaded this morning and salting will be repeated this afternoon and this evening if necessary.

Extra operatives have also been drafted in to clear and salt local footways throughout today and all available salt bins have been replenished over the weekend.

Further freezing temperatures are expected overnight with the possibility of snowfall.

A council spokesperson said “We are managing salt reserves carefully and constantly monitoring the weather conditions.”

“Cheshire East Council is advising everyone, whether making a journey by car or by foot, to take extra care at this time.”

Both the A537 ‘Cat and Fiddle’ and A54 have problems with drifting snow so please check before travelling.

All routes will be gritted this afternoon (from 3pm) following forecasts for freezing temperatures and snow across Cheshire East this evening.

All gritting vehicles were reloaded from the Winsford salt mine earlier today, in preparation for further gritting this afternoon and overnight.

Extra operatives have also been drafted in today to clear and salt local footways. All available salt bins are being constantly replenished.

A spokesperson from Cheshire East said ” Every effort is being made to clear the A537 ‘Cat and Fiddle’ and the A54. Efforts have so far been severely affected by strong winds, causing rapidly drifting snow several feet deep.”

All routes across Cheshire East were gritted overnight and again in the early hours of this morning. This action follows a severe weather warning for the Cheshire area today for freezing temperatures and snow.

All gritting vehicles were reloaded from the Winsford salt mine earlier today, in preparation for further gritting this afternoon and overnight if necessary.

A spokesperson from Cheshire East said “We are managing salt reserves carefully and constantly monitoring the weather conditions. The Government has requested that all local Authorities further economise the use of salt by 40 – 50%.”

Every effort is being made to clear the A537 ‘Cat and Fiddle’ and the A54. Efforts have so far been severely affected by strong winds, causing rapidly drifting snow several feet deep.