Gritting
We use 6 millimetre crushed rock salt to melt
ice or prevent it from forming on the roads during winter. Usually,
this is spread onto the road using a purpose-built machine, mounted
on a wagon. The spreaders are designed to give an even distribution
of salt across the road and spread the salt at a controlled
rate.
To prevent ice from forming, we spread salt at
fifteen grams per square metre. But more is needed to melt ice
which has already formed and the rate of spread can be increased to
40 grammes per square metre to achieve this. The wagons also have
fittings which enable a snowplough to be fitted when it is
needed.
Cumbria County Council provide
road gritting (external link) as part of their
Transport & Roads service.