Multiple accidents and closures hit the A55 around Bangor as motorists raised concerns over gritting effectiveness after severe weather
Icy conditions caused numerous incidents on the main Welsh route
Icy and snowy conditions have prompted numerous motorists to question the gritting on a major Welsh road. A sudden burst of snow and hail transformed the A55 into a skating rink around the Bangor junctions on Friday, January 2, morning.
This resulted in multiple incidents on the route and subsequently led to the A55 being closed in both directions for a time on Friday. The closure of the key route caused significant delays on the A55 and neighbouring roads in Bangor.
Motorists voiced numerous complaints about the road conditions. For the biggest stories in Wales first, sign up to our daily newsletter here
One driver, Giles Pepperell – a member of the Alliance of British Drivers – contacted Traffic Wales and other authorities regarding the matter, copying in North Wales Live.
He stated: “It would appear that, in spite of ample weather warnings, no road gritting/salting took place on Thursday January 1st, resulting in icy and dangerous road conditions today, Friday January 2nd. Consequently, it’s a shambles out there on the roads, jack-knifed lorries, etc.
“Is this the case, please? If so, why?”
He noted there were “plenty of photos on social media around the region showing evidence that no gritting took place”.
He questioned: “How can this happen?”
A55 in snow and ice
Traffic Wales responded by stating that “precautionary gritting” was performed on the A55 on the evening of January 1 and again in the early hours of January 2. They mentioned that similar procedures would have been carried out by the respective local authority on their road network.
They further noted: “It’s important to note that while gritting significantly reduces the risk of ice, it does not guarantee completely ice-free roads.
“While gritting was carried out as planned, there are circumstances where severe or rapidly changing weather conditions can significantly reduce its effectiveness.
“Prolonged low temperatures, snowfall or freezing precipitation after treatment, and the volume of traffic can all contribute to hazardous conditions re-forming despite preventative action having been taken. Unfortunately, gritting cannot prevent all disruption in extreme winter weather.
“We do monitor conditions continuously and work to treat the network in line with forecasts and established winter service plans.
“Feedback such as yours, along with reports and imagery from road users, is valuable and is shared internally to support ongoing review and improvement.”
