Ministers across the Welsh Assembly Government are working with all agencies and local authorities to co-ordinate efforts to minimise disruption to travel on the main networks.
Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones said:
“The Assembly Government is carrying out 24 hour monitoring of the situation and control arrangements have been established to coordinate the routing and operation of gritters and snow ploughs across Wales.
“We are also in contact with organisations and agencies across the nation, including local service providers and business representatives who are clearly feeling the impact of this severe weather.
“We have increased our supplies of salt stock since last year, and current levels are sufficient for the foreseeable future with further quantities due to arrive shortly.”
The Assembly Government is responsible for maintaining the motorway and trunk road network in Wales, whilst Local Authorities have responsibility for maintaining local roads.
Mr Jones said:
“We are working closely with Local Authorities to help them maintain access to vital services, such as hospitals – and have already provided some areas with additional salt supplies.”
“We are also in close contact with the WLGA and the Department of Transport to review the distribution of salt, and have provided Local Authorities with guidance on more efficient methods of gritting.”
“Despite these efforts, and our robust contingency planning, we are asking people to only travel if absolutely necessary, and to check with our range of information services, such as Traffic Wales, which is constantly updated regarding the latest conditions on the roads.”
For more information please call 0845 6026020 or visit the Traffic Wales website.
