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The first snows are forecast for this Thursday, November 21. The technical services have activated winter service. Four trucks are equipped, one hundred tonnes of salt are in stock to treat some 100 kilometers of priority roads.
Nearly fifteen centimeters of snow, in total, were initially announced by Weather France at the start of the week. Finally, the first winter offensive has deflated with around five centimeters which could fall this Thursday, November 21 between noon and midnight.
A first snow which arrives just before the Sainte-Catherine fair as a return to tradition. “The winter viability service was activated on Monday November 19 and until March 7. However, following the strong offensive that was announced to us, we mobilized all of our resources,” explains Benoît Collin, director of technical services for Langres and Grand Langres.
The mini-tractor will be on the walkway again.
The winter service, or snow removal, can count on two large trucks equipped with a blade and a salt spreader. A smaller truck is being mobilized for the historic center. And the mini-tractor is already ready with its blade and its salt spreader for alleys, sidewalks and the walkway. If during the day, all the technical services agents can be called upon to treat the roads, the winter maintenance duty has five people permanently, weekends included.
Less salt consumption
A stock of 100 tonnes of salt, under cover, is available. This helps you cope with the first few days. “In other years, we had 100 tonnes in stock and we had an additional 50 tonnes delivered which we put under a tarpaulin. But it has been five years now that we have no longer needed it because it snows less,” notes Frédéric Raillard, director of the Technical Center.
So last winter, the snowplows only went out 11 times for around 1,000 kilometers of roads treated in total. Around fifty tonnes of salt had been consumed. “But if we take the winter of 2016/2017, we had 30 days of intervention for 2,400 km treated with more than 150 tonnes of salt,” emphasizes Frédéric Raillard.
As with all communities, the City has demarcated priority and secondary roads for snow removal. The two large trucks are thus assigned to the East zone, namely Franchises, Roises or Saint-Gilles for a 45 km journey. The West zone also has 45 km of route for Buzon, Brevoines, the Citadelle and the Quartiers-Neufs. The city center has a 35 km route covered by the small truck.
“We are not the only ones involved in snow removal. The city is crossed by the national RN19 which is the responsibility of the Dir-Est. And there is also departmental 74 which is handled by the Departmental Council,” recalls Benoît Collin.
Sidewalks are the responsibility of local residents
On the other hand, despite the intervention of the services, Benoît Collin would like to point out an essential basis: “The particularity of the city with its climbs should not make us forget that everyone must remain in control of their vehicle and adapt their speed. And it is the responsibility of each resident to treat the sidewalks in front of their home.”
Even if we are not classified as a mountain zone, it is not extravagant to equip your vehicle with winter tires. What was obvious to our parents tends to be lost over time.
In any case, the return of snow can only be a good thing even if temperatures of 10°C are already forecast for Saturday…
Ph. L.
Ep inclines can complicate our snow removal efforts. We often have to devise specific strategies for these areas to ensure safety for all residents.
Great! I’d be happy to help you create an interview for world-today-news.com. Here’s a potential script:
Introduction:
– As the winter season approaches, Langres is preparing for its first snowfall. The technical services have activated their winter service, and four trucks are ready to treat around 100 kilometers of priority roads. In this interview, we’ll discuss the challenges and preparations for the first snowfall with Benoît Collin, the director of technical services for Langres and Grand Langres, and Frédéric Raillard, the director of the Technical Center.
1. How did the city of Langres prepare for the first snowfall?
– Benoît Collin: As soon as the weather forecast indicated the possibility of snow, we mobilized all our resources including four trucks equipped with salt spreaders and snowplows. We ensured that our team was on standby and that we had enough stock of salt, which currently stands at 100 tonnes.
– Frédéric Raillard: In addition to the trucks, we also have a mini-tractor ready for sidewalks and alleys. We have designated priority roads and plan to focus on those first during snow removal operations.
– Interviewer: Can you tell us more about the stock of salt and how it has changed over the years?
– Benoît Collin: We have sufficient salt for the first few days. However, in previous years, we had to order additional salt supplies to cope with heavier snowfall. This year, we’re hoping the stock will suffice.
2. How did the community respond to the first snowfall alert?
- Frédéric Raillard: Residents have been understanding and cooperative. They are aware of the importance of clearing the roads and walkways for everyone’s safety.
– Benoît Collin: Unfortunately, some drivers still don’t adapt their speed or driving behavior to the conditions. It’s important for everyone to be cautious and follow the rules of the road during snowfall.
– Interviewer: Are there any specific challenges that Langres faces due to its terrain or location?
– Benoît Collin: Langres’s unique terrain means that narrow streets and ste
