GRITTERS will operate round the clock if necessary during this weekend’s new spell of snow and ice on Manx roads, with access to and from the hospital being the number one priority.
The Department of Infrastucture’s fleet of five gritting vehicles, together with additional vehicles fitted with snow ploughs, is already active around the Isle of Man and will work through the night, depending on how conditions deteriorate.
The gritters went through their paces this week when the machinery was tested and calibrated at Jurby Airport, to check that the correct amounts of grit are spread on roads when the snow and ice arrives.
A spokesman said that the correct calibration was a necessity as too little, or too much, grit can have a negative impact on road surfaces.
“Grit has to be distributed correctly and evenly, and the machinery needs regular testing to ensure this happens,” said the spokesman. “After the calibration tests we are happy that the machinery is operating correctly.”
The Department of Infrastructure has all five of its gritters in action today and they expect to be in action all weekend. A team of drivers work shifts to give 24-hour cover, if necessary and all other drivers in the Department - more than 40 in total - are on standby to give assistance and to use snow plough equipment if required.
However, the drivers all understand that they are on a “hiding to nothing”.
“Whatever we do it’s never enough,” said one driver. “We work shifts 24-7 and do our best to cope, but there are always lots of people who seem to want to complain. The priority is to keep main roads open where possible, but the chief priority is for the hospital.
“The number one priority at all times is to keep the roads to and from the hospital open. We then concentrate on the main roads in and out of Douglas and then the main roads in the districts.”
Where possible, the gritters will switch to B roads and some of the steeper roads to attend any emergencies, as requested by the police or the Department. If roads need to be closed, the decision is always taken with safety the main reason.
The spokesman added, “Our drivers do their utmost to keep roads open, but there have to be priorities and if we get heavy snow this weekend, which is possible, then we simply will not be able to grit every single road in the Isle of Man.
“Whatever happens, we will all be doing our very best.”
