MOTORWAYS and a main road plagued by accidents are to be given priority over other East Lancashire routes as part of a scheme to combat winter ice.

And Lancashire County Council is set to adopt a policy promising that, in bad weather, the M65 and other motorways will be fully treated within two hours of vehicles leaving depots.

The A56 Edenfield Bypass will be placed alongside motorways as a main priority for treatment when snow or frost is forecast.

Other trunk roads and principal roads in the area will be next in line for treatment, with a two-hour time limit also set for these routes.

Roads serving hospitals, ambulance or fire stations, main commuter routes, roads leading to important industrial or military establishments and roads between two large centres of population will be next in line for treatment.

A target to be fully treated has been set for four hours after salting vehicles have left depots. If snow becomes particularly heavy, contingency plans are to be put in place for roads between isolated areas served by minor roads on a steep hill to be the next in line.

Additional machinery will be hired to clear snow if it becomes very deep. Footpaths in shopping areas and leading to large industrial or commercial establishments are also set for priority treatment in the winter.

A number of sensors are positioned around roads in East Lancashire to give county highways chiefs a clear picture.

Road sensors provide surface temperature readings, while nearby atmospheric sensors give air temperature readings.

In East Lancashire, sensors are in place at the A59 in Samlesbury, the A675 at Belmont, the A56 in Accrington, the A59, Gisburn and the A6068, Laneshawbridge.

Members of the county council's highways and transportation committee will discuss the issues at a meeting today.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.