Winter Road Regime

 Gritting and winter road treatment is now underway in the district, Queenstown Lakes District Council roading manager Ian Marshall said.

“When conditions dictate, roading contractor Downer EDI Works will be undertaking a gritting and road clearance regime,” Mr Marshall said.

This meant that on icy or snowy morning’s clearance and gritting would commence for priority routes between 7.30am (although earlier applications were made by the contractor) and 10pm. Secondary roads would be gritted or cleared, as weather permitted between 8am and 6pm.

“If you have an issue or concern with the condition of a road or footpath, then please call the Council and a request for service will be sent to the contractor. In general these requests will be actioned within an hour wherever possible and weather permitting,” Mr Marshall said.

In addition to gritting the application of the chemical CMA (Calcium Magnesium Acetate), which prevented roads from freezing had also commenced with an application on the problematic Fernhill Road and roundabout and along Frankton Road, on Thursday. Applications would also be made to some footpaths this year.

“The CMA leaves a wet finish to roads and care is still required, which is also the case on gritted roads which can be slippery,” Mr Marshall said.

People driving in the district were also asked to be aware that roads could freeze or re-freeze at any time of the day. “It is not just an early morning issue. The trick is to look out for shaded areas or anywhere with permafrost,” Mr Marshall said.
The Council also recommended that people did not attempt to overtake a truck while it was gritting. “The safest place to be is behind the truck,” Mr Marshall said.
Other driving tips included:

• Slow down at this time of year and increase your travelling distance between vehicles.
• Carry chains.
• Accelerate, brake and change gears gently.
• Leave earlier than usual if travelling to work.
• Be aware that if a vehicle is travelling slowly in front of you it may be for good reason.
• Listen to a local radio station for local road conditions in the morning.

“If a route is treacherous Downer will advise motorists to take an alternative route until it can be made safe and we will relay messages through local radio stations or you can call the Council. The key is to drive to the conditions,’ Mr Marshall said.