North Ayrshire’s drivers are being urged to stay safe on the roads this winter as the colder weather gets set to bite.
The council’s roads team is already on weather watch for any snow and ice forecast for the winter period.
The team says a few simple measures can help make life much easier.
Top tips include:
- Ensure your vehicle is well prepared – have it fully serviced, get your battery checked before winter starts and carry out your own regular checks on the brakes, tyres and lights and make sure fluids are kept topped
- Plan your journeys in advance – check local/national weather forecasts and make sure the condition of your route is safe to travel on – and sign up to Met Office warning
- Make sure all snow is cleared from your car before driving. Don’t drive with snow on the vehicle roof or windows
- .Also, demist your car properly before setting ofKeep an emergency kit in your car at all times.
- If you are stranded due to a snowstorm or flood, a first aid kit, battery jump leads, a torch with spare batteries, maps, a blanket, a shovel, food and a warm drink would be handy.
Councillor Scott Davidson, cabinet member for place, said: “Driving conditions across North Ayrshire in winter can be challenging, with the weather being very changeable. Snow, ice, rain, fog and lengthy periods of darkness are all factors drivers can be faced with.”
A squad of 35 drivers from the council and 15 multi-purpose vehicles will be available 24/7 to keep the area’s priority routes in use throughout winter.
These round-the-clock measures will be in place from late October right through to mid-April.
Some 7,000 tonnes of road salt is stocked at the council’s mainland storage depot in Kilwinning, with a further 2500 tonnes at the depot at Brodick, in Arran.
There are around 500 grit bins and 15 larger community bins that people can collect salt from for personal use on roads, driveways or footpaths. It is also stored at strategic points throughout the area for use by residents.
Weather stations on the A760 at Catburn, between Largs and Kilbirnie, and the String Road on Arran are fitted with cameras, which will assist Winter Controllers and Supervisors in monitoring weather conditions.
Weather forecasts are relayed three times a day – morning, noon and night – to the roads team who use the information to determine whether or not a snow or ice alert is issued.
A specialist detailed roads weather forecast is provided in collaboration with 12 other local authorities across the southwest of Scotland.
Drivers are also advised to plan ahead and check forecasts before starting a journey, and you can sign up for Met Office weather warnings at https://bit.ly/3S2g568
North Ayrshire Council is responsible for the majority of roads in the area while Amey is responsible for any issues on the trunk roads - A78,A737 and A738. Amey can be contacted by calling 0800 042 0188 or emailing OCCR-southwest@amey.co.uk
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