Meeting documents

Tim Fowler, Area Maintenance Manager North, Transport for Buckinghamshire

The Forum received the Winter Maintenance Report.

Tim Fowler (Area Maintenance Manager North, Transport for Buckinghamshire) told Members the following:

·         An extensive exercise had been carried out several years ago using a risk assessment matrix which scored roads in terms of traffic flow, gradient, collision record etc.

·         The ‘cut-off’ line for gritting was based on resources available.

·         There were 3300 km of roads in Buckinghamshire, and approximately 40% of these were salted each year on a precautionary basis (approximately 1375km).

·         Roads not falling into Priority 1 were placed in categories 2 or 3, depending on the matrix score. Roads in categories 2 or 3 were gritted only when there were prolonged periods of cold weather or snowfall.

·         A forecast was received daily from the Meteo Group, both for the next 24 hours and for the next 2-5 days.

·         There were also ten ice-monitoring sites in the County which provided real-time information.

·         Gritting was usually undertaken outside peak hours, as long as it was not urgent gritting (e.g. when rain was followed by a cold front).

·         Gritting of the 1375km of roads mentioned above was covered by 25 vehicles. The Chesham Local Area was serviced by both the Amersham Depot and the Aylesbury Depot.

·         Treatment took 2-2.5 hours per route, based on normal ice conditions.

·         There had been changes to the regulations covering drivers’ hours, and two drivers were now required for each vehicle (50 drivers were employed across the County).

·         There had been national problems with gritting in the previous Winter. The severe weather has caused massive demand and the Government had intervened regarding distribution.

·         Buckinghamshire had re-stocked its grit supplies in January 2009. However there had been no guarantee that there would be another delivery of grit, so BCC had decided to reduce the gritting of roads in Priority 1 and carry out gritting of A and B roads to ensure that they remained open.

·         National recommendations recommended increasing the amount of grit in storage, and countywide salt stock had been increased by approximately 1,500 tonnes. The total county stock level was now in excess of 10,000 tonnes.

·         ‘Safecoat’ grit had been used in recent years, which was coated in molasses. This type of grit was more effective as it did not migrate from where it was laid, thereby reducing the amount required.

·         However under the new contract with Ringway Jacobs, a decision had been taken to change to ‘Pre-wet’ grit, which mixed salt and water at the point of delivery, and again would not migrate.

Members then asked questions, which are summarised below.

What part can Local Area Forums play to influence the gritting programme?

Feed any relevant information to BCC so that this information can be used when planning for next year and years following.

Do you still provide salt bins?

Bins are no longer provided free of charge. If a bin is requested, a charge is made and the location for the bin is vetted. Once the initial fee has been paid, BCC will continue to refill the bin without charge. There are c. 700 bins in the County, and also heaps of grit in more rural areas. A list of bins in the Chesham Local Area can be provided.

How many accidents occurred on the roads last Winter?

We are still awaiting the data from last year, but in the previous year there were 56 collisions. The majority of these were on roads which had been gritted, which indicates that gritting is not all-effective.

The data on collisions is from the Police. Ice is listed as a contributory factor, but might not be the main factor.

Have you had claims made against BCC for collisions?

Individuals can make claims. However we have a Winter Maintenance Plan in place which we would see as a defence against a claim. The irony is that if BCC did not grit any roads, it would not be open to any claims.

Can you assure us that there will be no reduction in the number of routes being gritted this Winter. Also, there was a rumour last year that BCC sold grit to other authorities.

The routes to be gritted have not changed fundamentally – there is one additional road to be gritted in the Chiltern District.

Another Local Authority did approach us last year about buying our grit, but we refused.

In February 2009 you consulted on gritting at Chiltern Local Committee. However that was not followed up.

We acknowledge that we could be better at consulting with Parish Councils. AS it stands, if additional roads are added to the gritting schedule, gritting of other roads would have to be reduced.

The nearest frost monitoring station to Cholesbury is at Shardeloes. This cannot be accurate as it is much lower than Cholesbury. Chesham is recognized nationally as a frost pocket.

There are two frost stations at Stokenchurch. Stokenchurch has a similar altitude to this area.

How do you define a large village?

200 dwellings or more.

We were told that you do not supply piles of grit anymore.

We stopped providing grit piles, as animals were eating the molasses and causing accidents. Now we are using the new ‘Pre-wet’ grit, we will reconsider this method of provision. Grit piles are not ideal as they can leach into the water table.

If a route is used by school buses this route scores points on the gritting matrix. However BCC have chosen to use smaller vehicles (12-14 seats) for school transport in rural areas. These do not score on the matrix. Also if roads are not gritted, these smaller vehicles cannot operate.  Can you look into this.

This will be considered as part of discussions at the April 2010 LAF meeting. The implications for the whole County need to be considered.

The map sent to Parish Councils of roads to be gritted is inaccurate in the Cokes Lane/Nightingales area.

This will be amended and re-sent to all Members of the Forum.

Will a printed leaflet be produced about gritting?

Yes, and it is being distributed to Parish Councils.

Do you work in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council to grit roads on the border?

There is some joint work on cross-border roads, specifically the A41 (Aston Clinton bypass).

Why did some grit disappear from bins last year?

There was some theft of grit from bins, which was then sold on illegally.

ACTIONS

·         Chris Schwier to send list of salt bins in the Chesham Local Area

·         Timely feedback to be taken from members in future re: their views on gritting - April/May 2010

·         Re-consider whether salt piles might be re-instated - Eric Meek

·         Issue of size of school buses and roads to be gritted to be looked at again (criteria to be reviewed?) and reported in April 2010 - Tim Fowler

·         Amended map of gritting routes to be sent out to all members, including BCC members (showing Cokes Lane/Nightingales Lane) - Chris Schwier