The sand acts like a sponge to soak up excess bitumen, apparently…
Road gritters are on standby in some counties in the event that roads melt in the extreme heat.
The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning across England and Wales as temperatures rise this week.
The hottest conditions will be felt in the south and Midlands, with London currently predicted to experience temperatures in the region of 34C.
Hampshire County Council is preparing to deploy gritters to spread light dustings of sand that will “act like a sponge to soak up excess bitumen”, according to the authority.
Gritters are normally used to distribute salt during the winter to stop ice forming on roads.
With even hotter weather to come this week, our gritters are ready to go to keep Hampshire moving. Where needed, they’ll be spreading light dustings of sand, which acts like a sponge to soak up excess bitumen. The areas most likely to be affected are older surfaces…2/2 pic.twitter.com/OV8Z93BOTz
— Hampshire County Council (@hantsconnect) July 11, 2022
The areas most likely to be targeted by the vehicles this week are those with older road surfaces, in rural locations and south facing.
Residents are being urged to report any road problems on the council’s website.
Motorists who find tar stuck to their tyres are advised to wash it off with warm soapy water.
Related links:
- Parents warned to keep kids indoors as UK heatwave soars and health alerts issued
- ‘Longest heatwave in four years’ to start today as alert issued
- Australia has has been devastated by floods but some people believe it is just ‘weather manipulation’
