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A fleet of six gritting vehicles with snow plough attachments, five snow ploughs and three tractor mounted snow ploughs have been working continuously to try and keep the Island's principal road network operational.
The residual level of salt – which is able to prevent road surfaces freezing but which will not prevent significant snow accumulating – is high on salted roads and this morning vehicles have been depositing grit to improve traction.
However the continuing snow showers are making it extremely difficult to completely clear the principal road network.
This afternoon we will refocus our resources on eleven key routes which will be snow ploughed and then gritted. By concentrating on these routes, the council should be able to clear them by the end of the day. The routes will be continually driven until the drivers are satisfied that they are clear and the focus will then turn to the secondary routes. Once these are fully in operation, the increased traffic flows will help to clear those and other subsidiary routes.
Peter Hayward, IW Council head of highways and transport, said: "The techniques deployed in snowy and icy conditions are the same as those commonly and routinely used anywhere else in the country.
"We have to remember however that salt or grit does not stop snow accumulating on roads. As we have seen throughout the region, however much of it is applied, snow falling at this level will always overwhelm it."
Mr Hayward also said there were also sufficient quantities of salt and grit available to meet the current needs with planned fresh supplies arriving today as expected. He also repeated the current advice from emergency services not to travel unless absolutely necessary and to take extra care when driving if it is necessary to venture out.
Notes for editors
As a point of interest, a council road gang was diverted to help a vehicle reach St Mary's Hospital with a delivery of oxygen supplies.
