The Island’s winter maintenance gritting fleet will be out and about this weekend (Saturday 26 October) for the annual ‘autumn parade’.

During the day, Island Roads’ winter maintenance team will be undertaking various activities to prepare the service for the cold weather ahead. This included undertaking any required maintenance work to the fleet as well as drivers familiarising themselves with the new gritting routes and any changes in legislation or safety procedures.

Once again, salt stocks have been replenished and around 1,600 tonnes is in store at Stag Lane ready for use. These reserves can be topped up during the winter in the unlikely event more gritting material is required. Last year a total of 494 tonnes was used on the network during 26 runs.

The gritting fleet comprises four frontline gritters along with back up and specialist vehicles.

Bespoke weather forecasting for the Island from the MeteoGroup helps Island Roads plan for freezing conditions, along with data provided by weather stations located at Duxmore and Rowridge, which send continuous readings to staff at Island Roads’ based at Daish Way in Newport.

This information is always supplemented by on-the-ground visual inspections from Island Roads staff.

Please make sure you have checked the new gritting routes which can be viewed at www.islandroads.com.