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Snow clearance

As the highway authority, Medway Council has to take reasonable steps to keep roads clear of ice and snow. Visit the main salting roads page to find a map of the primary salting routes, salt bin locations, advice on snow clearance and safe winter driving. 

The government has issued some guidance on snow clearance which includes advice on clearing snow from public places, liability and what to do in an emergency.

The council's equipment for clearing snow

Each of the winter service vehicles has a snow plough, which can be fitted quickly. This means that salting and ploughing can take place at the same time. The council also has agreements with farmers who clear snow on rural roads when required to do so.

Roads that are cleared in Medway

When snow falls across Medway the council uses all the available resources to deal with it. The council cannot work on all roads at once though, and the first priority is to keep the main roads open. If snow continues to fall or there are strong winds, this becomes a continuous process. Once the primary routes are clear, the council works on the other roads on a priority or needs basis. Farmers have designated routes to follow when clearing snow and these are dealt with on a priority basis. Medway Council cannot promise to clear every road and inevitably many minor roads may have to be left to thaw naturally.

Rush hour snowfall

When snowfall coincides with the rush hour, early salting cannot take place due to traffic congestion. Roads can still have icy patches and drivers should remain vigilant and aware of the need to drive carefully at all times.

How to tell whether roads are icy or not

It is often difficult to tell when ice is forming on roads, and conditions will probably vary across Medway from hour to hour. If there is a white frost on grass and cars in the morning, there is every possibility you may encounter icy patches on the roads. The council keeps local radio stations and TV networks informed about road conditions and tells the media when the main routes are salted.

Medway Council will do its best to ensure that the main routes are safe to use but please take extra care in wintry weather.

For more information contact Customer First by telephone: 01634 333333 / SMS text messaging: 07739 657073 or by email: customer.first@medway.gov.uk

Write to: Customer First, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR

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