Use of Salt Wicks (hessian salt sacks) https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1764457 Sun, 7 Jun 2026 17:00:47 GMT Fri, 9 Feb 2024 11:44:11 GMT Copyright © 2024 Institute of Highway Engineers Use of Salt Wicks (hessian salt sacks) https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1764457 https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1764457 Tue, 9 Jan 2024 10:47:47 GMT https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1764661 https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1764661 Wed, 10 Jan 2024 13:32:53 GMT https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1764703 https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1764703 Wed, 10 Jan 2024 16:01:07 GMT https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1764731 https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1764731 It seems a potential solution albeit with the bluntness you describe.
Dealing with heavy icing as a result of run-off would normally see a large spot salt blast at the location with temporary 'Ice' warning signs to warn mortoists but this can only be a very short term situation and investigation and dealing with the drainage problem has to be a priority
In the Police Road Death guidance drainage issues is one of the considerations to be consideraed if a fatality occured ]]> Wed, 10 Jan 2024 17:41:16 GMT https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1764771 https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1764771 We use them on a lot of our known run off sites and other areas in Wiltshire and have done for many years, we have them in use at present and find them very effective if placed and set up correctly.
Happy for you to make contact if you want to discuss more.
Simon]]> Wed, 10 Jan 2024 20:27:35 GMT https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1764802 https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1764802 Quote:
Originally posted by R. Hayes:
hi, Adrian, it is something i never used in my operational duties(I'd never used the term wicks before). rather the reverse placing impermeable bunds to prevent surface water flowing across the highway.
It seems a potential solution albeit with the bluntness you describe.
Dealing with heavy icing as a result of run-off would normally see a large spot salt blast at the location with temporary 'Ice' warning signs to warn mortoists but this can only be a very short term situation and investigation and dealing with the drainage problem has to be a priority
In the Police Road Death guidance drainage issues is one of the considerations to be consideraed if a fatality occured

Thanks Richard - I totally agree but my experience is that it isn't always possible or practicable to stop water flowing onto the highway from adjacent ground and, as you know, highway drainage systems aren't typically designed to cope with those situations.  Salt wicks (along with 'blasting' the site and the use of ice warning signs plus potentially also cones and/or even TTL) are, I think, useful tools to have in the toolbox to deal with these situations and I myself am aware of situations where they have definitely made a significant difference in keeping sections of road ice free in these circumstances. Adrian  ]]> Thu, 11 Jan 2024 10:09:36 GMT https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1764803 https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1764803 Thu, 11 Jan 2024 10:19:34 GMT https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1764804 https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1764804 Quote:
Originally posted by S. Rowe:
Adrian,
We use them on a lot of our known run off sites and other areas in Wiltshire and have done for many years, we have them in use at present and find them very effective if placed and set up correctly.
Happy for you to make contact if you want to discuss more.
Simon

Hi Simon, could I ask where you get these from please? Do you purchase the sacks and then just fill them yourselves, or is there more to it than that?]]> Thu, 11 Jan 2024 10:20:54 GMT https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1765750 https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1765750 Fri, 19 Jan 2024 14:14:35 GMT https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1768595 https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=247945&topic=1768595 Quote:
Originally posted by A. Runacres:
Hi Simon - Thanks for your post and yes please, I would really like to touch base with you about this this. Would it be OK if I also passed your name to the Authority Member who first raised this with us? I'm sure he would find your experience with this really helpful. Thanks again, Adrian

That would be fine Adrian.]]> Fri, 9 Feb 2024 12:44:11 GMT