Grit your teeth….winter is on its way

The sun may be shining today, but Staffordshire’s army of gritters are primed and ready for action – as winter ‘officially’ starts in Staffordshire.

The winter season traditionally gets under way on the third week of October, so the county council’s fleet is now primed and ready to roll when needed.

The county council’s fleet of 40 plus gritters and snow ploughs will be ready to roll if the temperature drops, and with more than 20,000 tonnes of salt stockpiled, Staffordshire is well prepared for any adverse weather conditions.

Temperatures and road conditions will be monitored from weather stations and the team of Winter Decision Makers will make the call as to when and where to send out the gritters.

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On routine winter days and nights gritters will be focusing on the major routes and extending to the wider network in prolonged ice and snow conditions. You can find out more about where we grit and how we decide to grit at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/winter

The county’s hill contractors are also called into action on the higher ground in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

Staffordshire County Council’s highways leader Mark Deaville said:

“Over the last few weeks we have been putting the 40 plus strong army of gritters through their paces to ensure they are in tip top condition and ready to go when the bad weather hits.

“Although the weather is fine now, it is due to get colder.  In the past, we have had snow right up to Easter, so it’s important to be prepared.

“On a typical winter day we will be out largely on key A and B roads, but in prolonged ice or snow we will be pulling out all the stops to treat less major routes across the network.

“Of course, every winter is a partnership effort. Our crews play their part, our community Ice Busters do theirs by clearing local paths and we ask all drivers to play theirs as well.

“Regardless of whether a road has been gritted, motorists need to slow down, take extra care and allow more time for their journeys, as the most important thing is that we all get through winter safely.”

For more details on how the county prepares for winter visit – www.staffordshire.gov.uk/winter