Highgate gears up for winter by topping up salt stores and preparing to grit roads

The clocks have gone back so now is a good time to think about preparing for winter.

Haringey has topped up its salt stores and made more roads a top priority for gritting.

During severe weather, the council will again concentrate resources on keeping major roads and traffic routes flowing, as it did last year, while keeping borough schools open will be a priority.

When near zero temperatures are expected the council will follow its Winter Service Plan and carry out overnight frost patrols of key routes to ensure these get timely treatment.

Haringey's Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Nilgun Canver, says: "As ever we aim to keep Haringey's major bus routes open every day and most key routes operational. We will again do all we can to make sure public transport keeps moving.

"Our salt supplies are at capacity and we will make every effort to extend treatments across the borough to popular roads and shopping areas."

Although the general terms for treating icy roads and pavements is "gritting" the substance used is more usually called rock salt.

Salt stores will be monitored and, unless restricted by government, the council will use them in line with stated priorities.

Cllr Canver adds that however well prepared the council is, traffic disruption can happen, and residents should make contingency plans: "Even with the most comprehensive gritting programme traffic disruption can take place: rain or traffic can disperse the salt on pre-treated roads to the sides and pavements before the snow falls, and rush hour traffic can hinder gritting machines reaching affected roads. Please be prepared, plan ahead and keep an eye out for vulnerable neighbours."

Over 150 grit bins are sited around the borough for community use and will be regularly replenished where salt supplies permit. This will enable residents to help grit their own streets and pathways following government guidelines.

Supermarkets sell bags of rock salt and residents are urged to consider buying some if they feel their home is especially vulnerable in severe weather, as the council cannot grit everywhere.Alternatively, table salt or dishwasher salt can be used as a de-icer, the general guide is to use about a tablespoon per square metre.