Gritting teams will be treating roads early this afternoon ahead of snow showers expected later today and into the weekend.
The current spell of cold weather is expected to last until Sunday, with temperatures forecast to plunge as low as minus 2 over the next two nights.
Teams will be treating routes in Hyndburn as well as Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale and the Ribble Valley from 12.30pm today, with routes elsewhere due to be treated later ahead of tonight’s freezing temperatures. Light snow showers are also forecast in some parts of east Lancashire.
County Councillor John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “We’re well prepared for any snow and ice that could affect Lancashire over the coming days, and are treating some roads this afternoon ahead of the snow showers which are forecast.
“These could affect some higher routes today, and more snow flurries are expected over the coming days. These should not result in any great disruption, but I’d ask drivers to be aware that surfaces could be slippery at times, and to drive according to the conditions. Even when a road has been gritted, it can remain icy until the movement of traffic has worked the salt in and made it take effect.
“The forecast for the weekend shows that we could get some snow showers at lower levels on Saturday and we’re keeping an eye on this so that we can take appropriate action and ensure roads are gritted beforehand if necessary.”
Lancashire County Council has a fleet of 49 frontline gritters which can treat the 1,500 miles of the county council’s priority road network within around four hours, but may take longer in severe conditions.
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