Following yesterday's warning from Ronaldsway Met Office of overnight snow, the Department of Transport’s Works Division took the decision to pre-salt all main routes in the Island.  These included the Laxey to Douglas coast road, Lezayre, Kirk Michael, Cronk-y-Voddy, Peel Coast Road, Quarterbridge to Castletown, Ballacraine, Peel to Douglas road, Foxdale and Ballamodha.

The gritting operation began at 1am this morning using five bulk gritters, which were joined by four trailer gritters once the snow had started to fall and priority areas could be identified.

The Works Division control room at Ellerslie Depot has been manned overnight from 1am this morning in order to assist with the gritting operation and the deployment of some 18 staff to man the gritting fleet.

The snowfall overnight and this morning mainly affected the Southwest and Northern sides of the Island and from approx 7.30am, the Department’s resources have been focused on the Peel area, Glen Maye, Cronk-y-Voddy, Glen Helen, Ballamodha, and from Foxdale to the Braaid.

Three bulk gritters are still deployed around the Island dealing with requests for assistance from the emergency services and members of the public.