Police and council warn of icy roads
Written by admin on December 5, 2011
Police in Dumfries and Galloway are advising drivers to exercise extra caution on the regions roads over the next 24 hours or so. The region has seen a combination of snowfall and ice on roads since late Sunday evening and as a consequence road conditions have proved to be difficult. A number of minor road crashes have occurred over this period from Stranraer in the west through to Gretna in the east. Many roads have been affected by this weather and the winter weather is expected to continue.
Winter driving is a question of common sense and drivers should ask themselves if they really need to travel when conditions are poor. If you have to travel on the roads then checks should be carried out to ensure that vehicles are adequately prepared for the conditions making sure that you have sufficient fuel supplies. Warm clothing, food and water should be considered in the event you are delayed for several hours. Is your mobile phone fully charged and have you planned your journey. Listen to media broadcasts and check your route with www.travelscotland.org or call them on 0800 028 1414.
The Met Office forecasts that widespread icy stretches will affect untreated roads across the area overnight and well into Tuesday morning especially where wintry showers have fallen. There is also a high risk of freezing rain occurring after midnight tonight and throughout tomorrow morning. This can lead to widespread black ice and effectively reduces the influence of any salt already spread on the road.
The Council will be treating Primary Routes within the Local Road Network in preparation for travel tomorrow morning, however, the public are advised to drive carefully and not to assume that because a road has been treated that it is safe.
More information on the Council’s treatment of the Local Road Network can be found at www.dumgal.gov.uk/winter
