Why do the roads seem so dirty this winter?
Discussion
Must admit to 'noticing' this myself as well although wondered if I'm just imagining it.
Although, there's been a hard frost most mornings for me, once thawed the roads and paths are just wet and pretty much stay that way all day never drying out. Seems very damp at the moment, more so than I've noticed in the past which doesn't help with the dirt.
Although, there's been a hard frost most mornings for me, once thawed the roads and paths are just wet and pretty much stay that way all day never drying out. Seems very damp at the moment, more so than I've noticed in the past which doesn't help with the dirt.
They seem to spray salt round here out of habit rather than of actual freezing conditions. I’m sure it used to really only get gritted when temperature were in the minus and/or snow was forecast but now that drivers can’t actually drive and expect their 2 tonne suv to drive through winter on summer tyres just as it does in summer the authorities seem to be erring on the side of caution.
It’s the damp atmosphere. Pretty much 95% humidity for the last couple of weeks. The salt and grime just isn’t drying, hence the filthy roads. Made the mistake of risking a trip in my self-confessed garage queen today. Roads were dry in London pretty much. Got to the A1(M) and the roads were really damp. Car’s now filthy. Winter wash tomorrow and back in storage until March.
I've noticed this as well, my car is absolutely minging.
Rarely for me, I had to do a 2 hour cross country journey leaving at 5.30am for a work course. The combination of minus temperatures causing the washer jets to freeze and the filthy roads meant seeing out the windscreen and having useable headlights was somewhat of a challenge.
Rarely for me, I had to do a 2 hour cross country journey leaving at 5.30am for a work course. The combination of minus temperatures causing the washer jets to freeze and the filthy roads meant seeing out the windscreen and having useable headlights was somewhat of a challenge.
aturnick54 said:
Is it just me or do the roads seem much worse this year compared to usual winters? Can wash the car and a day later the number plate will be barely legible because of filth. Presumably it's something in the salt laid that makes them so dirty
Dont suppose you changed cars? Some just suck dirt to them more than others.We're currently experiencing an area of high pressure, it's about 1040 where I am; as such there's plenty of calm, clear nights bringing frosts (and subsequently the gritters are out) but there's no rain to wash it all away afterwards.
I washed my car yesterday for the first time in months, then today drove 30 miles down a dry motorway to Birmingham, yet upon my arrival the sides of the car already had a dry, salty layer. In the past week I've seen loads of cars with completely obscured rear number plates, black with salt, but then again it is January; it's prime grubby road season. Just at the moment, thanks to the weather, we're temporarily noticing more grime/salt.
I washed my car yesterday for the first time in months, then today drove 30 miles down a dry motorway to Birmingham, yet upon my arrival the sides of the car already had a dry, salty layer. In the past week I've seen loads of cars with completely obscured rear number plates, black with salt, but then again it is January; it's prime grubby road season. Just at the moment, thanks to the weather, we're temporarily noticing more grime/salt.
Our Fiesta only ever does short trips around town, never going more than a few miles from home but last Sunday we used it for a 190 mile round trip. It got dirtier on that one day than it had during the last ten years.
Some rain to wash the roads would be welcome but looking at the next week's forecast, the likelihood of any never rises above 10%.
Some rain to wash the roads would be welcome but looking at the next week's forecast, the likelihood of any never rises above 10%.
Riley Blue said:
Our Fiesta only ever does short trips around town, never going more than a few miles from home but last Sunday we used it for a 190 mile round trip. It got dirtier on that one day than it had during the last ten years.
Some rain to wash the roads would be welcome but looking at the next week's forecast, the likelihood of any never rises above 10%.
Might get some high humidity to dampen the roads instead, just not any rain to wash the dirt and salt away.Some rain to wash the roads would be welcome but looking at the next week's forecast, the likelihood of any never rises above 10%.
aturnick54 said:
Riley Blue said:
Our Fiesta only ever does short trips around town, never going more than a few miles from home but last Sunday we used it for a 190 mile round trip. It got dirtier on that one day than it had during the last ten years.
Some rain to wash the roads would be welcome but looking at the next week's forecast, the likelihood of any never rises above 10%.
Might get some high humidity to dampen the roads instead, just not any rain to wash the dirt and salt away.Some rain to wash the roads would be welcome but looking at the next week's forecast, the likelihood of any never rises above 10%.
colin79666 said:
They seem to spray salt round here out of habit rather than of actual freezing conditions. I’m sure it used to really only get gritted when temperature were in the minus and/or snow was forecast but now that drivers can’t actually drive and expect their 2 tonne suv to drive through winter on summer tyres just as it does in summer the authorities seem to be erring on the side of caution.
If you're only going out gritting when temps are below freezing then it's already too late. Gritters will go out in +3 temps because the road surface temp at that point could be close to 0. Nearly all gritting treatments are precautionary, the season runs from October to April and HE gritters will go out if it looks like the road temperature will get anywhere near freezing as they don't want to be caught out.Gassing Station | Roads | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff