Staffordshire gritters ready for actions

Armed with more than 20,000 tonnes of salt, the Staffordshire County Council fleet of gritters and snow ploughs have been getting prepared over the last few weeks.

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

Staffordshire County Council’s highways lead Helen Fisher said: “Over the last few weeks, highways teams have been putting the 40 plus strong army of gritters through their paces to ensure they are ready to go when the bad weather hits.

“Weather may be fine now, but in the past we have had snow right up until Easter.

"Even this year, we had an unseasonal cold snap in April where the gritters were called into action, 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.”