• Business
  • Business News
  • Video
  • Contact
Aycliffe Today
Aycliffe Today
  • Business
  • Business News
  • Video
  • Contact
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
Home
News

COUNTY DURHAM SALT BARNS REVEALED FOR WINTER

September 17th, 2014 Martin Walker News 0 comments 0

county durham salt barns

Up to 12,500 tonnes of salt will be stored at two new barns in County Durham ready for the winter.

Durham County Council is preparing for winter conditions by making sure that the new salt barns in Wolsingham and Peterlee are up and running in plenty of time.

The Wolsingham barn, which was completed in January and cost £500,000 to build, can hold 5,000 tonnes of salt and will supply provisions to the west of the county.

Serving the east of the county, the recently-built £750,000 Peterlee structure, which is based at the Hackworth depot, replaces the former Wellfield depot barn, which was beyond repair, and has an increased capacity of 7,500 tonnes.

Every year the council sets out its winter maintenance policy to deal with snow and ice and to make sure that salt stocks are topped up, salt bins are available across the county and a fleet of gritters is primed and ready to hit the roads.

As parts of County Durham are rural and sparsely populated the aim is to keep as many communities and main routes as possible open to try and help people get to work and school.

As well as the additional barns, in preparation for the winter conditions there will also be:

• More than 42,000 tonnes of salt stored in barns ready for use.
• Thirty-seven large power gritters, 33 trailer gritters and four snow blowers.
• A total of 2,500 salt bins at various locations will be filled for people to help clear the areas around their homes.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “We realise how important it is to people to keep our roads moving and safe throughout the winter months.

“Our two new salt barns, along with the supplies of salt already in place, will mean we can keep our major roads treated, making journeys as safe as possible in winter conditions.

“These new facilities will help us deal with any issues that may arise.”

John Reed, head of technical services at Durham County Council, said: “By building two new storage facilities capable of holding thousands of tonnes of salt we aim to reassure residents that we understand how important this issue is to them.

“We will also be targeting key routes throughout the county, as well as public transport networks, in order to minimise disruption as much as possible.”

The council treats more than 1,700km, or 45 per cent, of the county’s roads between 80 and 100 times during normal winter conditions but will also clear other minor roads if possible in severe, prolonged bad weather.

Footpaths in areas such as town centres, busy shopping centres, hospitals, health centres, doctor’s surgeries and care homes will also be treated if there has been heavy snowfall.

For further details about Durham County Council’s winter maintenance policy visit www.durham.gov.uk/winterroads and to report any problems on the roads please call 03000 26 1000.

 

Share it!

Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest
Next article AGE-OLD STORY AS AYCLIFFE WOBBLE AGAINST ANCIENT
Previous article HAVE A SAY ON LOCAL ISSUES

Related News

News

Chaos reigns as Durham County Council announces new cabinet after just 100 days

The leader of Durham County Council, Cllr Andrew Husband, has announced details of his new cabinet, following...
News

Get on board with bus travel this September

Residents are being encouraged to take advantage of discount bus fares in County Durham as part of a...
News

PCC urges the public to play their part to stop drink and drug driving

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen is backing a national charity’s efforts to increase reporting of...

LATEST VIDEO

This week on A.T

Sep 23rd 1:40 PM
Community

Fun and Food scheme benefits thousands of children in County Durham

Sep 22nd 4:18 PM
Business

NC Group: Building the future workforce of Aycliffe’s engineering sector

Sep 18th 4:49 PM
Sport

Newton Aycliffe Juniors round-up

Sep 18th 9:44 AM
Business

How Senstronics culture has nurtured life-changing career for Jack

Sep 17th 12:47 PM
Community

Helping to create thriving communities across County Durham

Sep 17th 10:30 AM
Business

Strategic expansion for family firm as industrial suppliers set up shop in Aycliffe

Sep 16th 9:01 PM
Sport

Aycliffe prepare for FA Trophy trip

Sep 16th 3:09 PM
News

Chaos reigns as Durham County Council announces new cabinet after just 100 days

Sep 16th 10:47 AM
Sport

Aycliffe Cricket round-up

Sep 15th 4:27 PM
Community

Newton Aycliffe school children celebrating new facilities

Recommend
Follow @AycliffeToday
  • Business
  • Business News
  • Video
  • Contact
  • Back to top
© Aycliffe Today 2019. All rights reserved.
Developed by Thrive

Get our latest news direct to your inbox every Friday - subscribe to our free e-newsletter today.

Subscribe Now