Motorists fall foul of icy roads

Heriot Row resident Richard Carmody attempts to cross Heriot Row after he lost control of his vehicle in icy conditions yesterday morning. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery
Heriot Row resident Richard Carmody attempts to cross Heriot Row after he lost control of his vehicle in icy conditions yesterday morning. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery
The Dunedin City Council has reported no issues with its use of grit and calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) on the city's roading network, despite three ice-related prangs yesterday morning.

Residents of some of Dunedin's hilly streets awoke to a solid frost yesterday morning, causing issues for some motorists.

Heriot Row resident Richard Carmody lost control of his car in icy conditions after pulling out of his driveway to go to work about 6.30am.

''I slid to a stop,'' he said.

The ice persisted for several hours. Another motorist crashed into Mr Carmody's vehicle about 9am after sliding in the icy conditions.

''I tried to wave out, but she couldn't stop,'' he said.

It was one of at least three crashes linked to ice in the city yesterday morning, a police spokeswoman said.

In the most serious incident, a car rolled down a bank at Careys Bay. No-one was injured in any of the crashes.

Council transport group manager Richard Saunders said he was happy with CMA and grit coverage in the city.

''There were no issues this morning and there was a good coverage of both grit and CMA across the network,'' he said.

''When there is a possibility of freezing, our contractor conducts patrols and applies grit or de-ices roads as required.

''We do our best to keep the main arterial routes clear, as well as keeping people well informed about the city's road conditions.

''Major traffic routes are gritted before 7.30am.''

The next priority was busy roads that feed on to arterial routes. Local roads were not gritted.

The DCC website has a grit map showing how roads are prioritised for treatment.

 

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