NFD will do all they can to keep the roads clear of snow and ice. Park Maintenance will use the grit in the boxes to keep the footpaths clear too. There will however be occasions when it is simply not possible to keep up. The following points are here to help you to help the community keep safe and sound when the weather is against us.
Staying safe in snow & ice
- Drive only when you need to and at a speed suitable for the conditions. Avoid harsh braking and allow extra time to stop.
- If you do need to drive, prepare your car properly by clearing the windows of snow. Snow left on the roof and bonnet may fly off when you are driving and obscure your vision! When you do clear you car, please do not heap the snow around your vehicle, where it will form a frozen heap that will eventually block off parking bays.
- Wear appropriate footwear and consider the use of strap-on gripper devices such as Yaktrax.
- Clear your entrance steps and pathway. When you have finished why not check up on your neighbour and ask if they need a hand clearing theirs?
- Listen to the weather forecast and tune into local radio (MFR) for updates. Accept that here, in the North East of Scotland, there may be occasions when it is unwise, unsafe or even impossible to travel.
If you want to report that a grit box is running short, or that there is an icy patch on a road, please contact us. Please note that private pathways, steps and entrances are not covered and are the responsibility of the owner or tenant.
Why use salt?
We use salt because it mixes with the ice to create a brine that does not freeze (until about minus 16C). When it thaws the brine will be washed back into the sea via land drains. Rock and grit is not used because it is ground into the road surface by vehicles, which creates small openings. These are then attacked by the action of expanding ice which makes the holes worse. Such effects substantially reduce the working life of a road surface.
Tigger Two
‘Tigger Two’ the NFD tractor is purring away and ready to go this winter. We also have a new addition to our arsenal – a mechanical brush that will be ideal for clearing light layers of snow.
We have also improved the snow plough and will again look to build up large stocks of salt to spread on the roads. Should reports say that this may be another harsh winter, we will look to be well prepared.
NFD have re-stocked the grit boxes that can be used on the public access footpaths with over four tons of grit. They have also been re-sited to make them more accessible to where the grit is needed.
We will not be using sand or grit on the roads because when the snow does thaw, we don’t want it to block the drains and create an even bigger problem.