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Busy Winter Season Finally Coming To A Close For Island Roads

Island Roads' official winter maintenance season ends tonight (Thursday) although keen eyes remain on the weather forecast.

The company shifts into Winter mode from the end of October each year with its fleet of gritters and their crews primed for action during the annual autumn parade, remaining on standby until April.

This year, the fleet has been kept busy on 28 gritting rounds in which more than 500 tonnes of salt were deposited on the network to keep it ice-free in freezing and near-freezing temperatures.

Island Roads operations and maintenance manager Dave Wallis said:

“Last year we had two salting runs in April so we will continue to monitor the specialist weather reports and respond as necessary — not least in the coming days when cold weather is forecast.”

Cllr Phil Jordan, IW Council cabinet member responsible for highways and transportation, added:

“There have been some very testing weather events this year and I would like to thank all those who have worked — sometimes in very difficult conditions — to keep the network open and safe this winter.”

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