Praise for 'ensuring' effects of bad weather were minimised

2:51pm Tuesday 9th January 2001

SALTING lorries in Hertfordshire covered more than 33,000 miles of road and put down 3,600 tonnes of salt to combat the recent snow falls.

The effort to keep roads open continued for three days during the cold spell.

County Councillor Mrs Iris Tarry, executive member for environment, said: "I want to pay tribute to the dedication and hard work of our officers and contractors who work in very difficult conditions to ensure the effects of bad weather are minimised."

The lorries were out on the roads an hour before the snow started, thanks to cold weather warnings, and cleared main roads, bus routes and roads in and out of villages.

After these main routes were cleared, the lorries moved on to other routes with steep gradients, poor drainage or other hazards.

Mrs Tarry said: "Despite the hard work and effort, it is not possible to clear all of the highways at the same time. We have to prioritise.

"I sympathise with people living on residential estates, or in side roads, who had problems in the snow.

"However, it is our job to think about what will help the most people.

"We are not legally required to carry out this work but, in Hertfordshire, we do so and to a greater level than in many areas."