Bradford Council is gearing up to deal with severe weather and is asking residents to do their bit as well.
The fleet of 23 gritting wagons will be out on their routes on Saturday (15 October) in a dry run to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible once the snow and ice arrives.
As precautionary gritting, the fleet will grit a 626 mile route around the district with special attention paid to the highest and most treacherous areas.
A total of 26,000 tonnes of salt is being kept to use on the highways if necessary.
Footway gritting includes the city centre, and the town centres of Shipley, Baildon, Bingley, Keighley and Ilkley, as well as shopping centres and hospitals.
Residents of the district are being asked to make their own preparations for winter which include stocking up on rock salt for their drives and pathways and investing in suitable footwear for walking in snow and ice.
An inexpensive snow shovel can come in handy when clearing your own drive and when offering to help elderly neighbours and people with mobility problems.
Fit and active residents working together as a community with garden tools can soon clear a cul-de-sac, and other minor roads or pavements of accumulated snow.
In heavy snow, it is impossible for the Council to keep the roads clear and traffic flowing as though the conditions were ideal, especially during rush hour.
Blocked cars are often the cause of traffic jams and these can be avoided. If snow is forecast, try to make alternative travel or working arrangements, such as working from home.
If you have to drive, carry some grit in the car, a snow shovel and emergency provisions, including warm clothing, should you get stuck for a long time or have to abandon your vehicle.
Car drivers can also help themselves by fitting winter tyres which increase traction and safety in very cold temperatures.
Coun Alex Ross Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regenration, Planning and Transport, said: “Because of reduced budgets the Council is having to make tough choices about how much winter gritting we can practically carry out.
“We are determined to keep the traffic flowing and the main routes clear, despite what the weather throws at us, but minor routes and enclosed estates will have to take second place to the priority roads.
“This is where residents can help by doing their bit to help themselves and their less able neighbours.”
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