One Trafford defends itself against claims that major routes around Altrincham weren’t gritted today

One Trafford, the partnership between Trafford Council and contractor Amey, has defended itself again claims that many of Altrincham’s major roads were left ungritted this morning.

Heavy snowfall last night has caused significant disruption on all transport routes today, with driving treacherous and a number of accidents reported.

Many vented their frustration on social media, with Paul Duxbury claiming there was “very little evidence of any gritting around Bowdon, Hale and Altrincham”, while Michael Welton said he was “very concerned about the lack of gritting in Altrincham on important secondary schools. Navigation Rd like an ice rink, as are many others”.

Jon Rouse, Chief Officer for Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, added on Twitter that it had been difficult “explaining to disbelieving colleagues in other parts of GM why I am struggling get out of Altrincham”.

But a spokesperson for the One Trafford Partnership said: “From 7pm on Tuesday 29 January all major routes, including the priority network, were gritted in anticipation of frost and snow. Additionally, routes were gritted again this morning from 12.30am. However, heavy snowfall fell on the road network. Gritters have been back since 8am this morning to continue treating Trafford’s roads.

“The Highways Winter Service in Trafford operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week from October 2018 to April 2019. Our dedicated Winter Service team continually monitor the conditions of the network with updates from the Met Office and take regular ground temperature readings. This helps the team to determine whether to grit, how much grit should be laid, and at what time of the day. The team will remain on standby throughout this cold snap and will continue to service the network.”

Cllr Andrew Western, leader of Trafford Council, said on Twitter that “all gritting routes were completed” but that the snow fell “extremely quickly just before rush hour and this impacted on road conditions”.

Park Road in Timperley this morning:

Priority during periods of snow and ice is given to main roads and bus routes, which account for nearly 170 miles of more than 400 miles of roads it manages.

Here’s a map of the priority gritting route around Altrincham.

One Trafford said that bin collections had been suspended due to the snow, and that residents should leave their scheduled (grey, black or blue) bin out for collection tomorrow (Thursday).”