Storm Goretti: Gritting crews in Staffordshire work through the night to cover nearly half of highway network
Staffordshire highways crews have been working through the night to keep the county moving as Storm Goretti brings heavy snow and freezing conditions.
Snow fell across the county overnight, with an Amber Weather Warning for snow in force for most of Staffordshire until 9am today, and a Yellow Warning for all of the county until midday.
Gritting crews began their work early yesterday evening, rolling out from 5pm with ploughs fitted in preparation for the severe conditions. They worked through the night to treat all main routes, including key access roads and bus routes, helping to keep essential travel moving.
In the south, gritting crews treated all main routes and rolled out a second time with ploughs fitted to clear the snow. In the north, all main routes were gritted three times and snow ploughed with the help of hill contractors on higher ground in the Moorlands.
Teams were back out again early this morning and will continue to respond to changing conditions throughout today, Friday, and into the weekend as required.
Staffordshire remains well prepared for winter, with 20,000 tonnes of salt stockpiled, 37 gritters and experienced crews. The county also grits around 43 per cent of its highway network, significantly higher than the regional average of 30 per cent.
Peter Mason, Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways, said: “Storm Goretti has created some of the most challenging conditions we’ve seen this winter, and our crews have stepped up once again. They’ve been out since yesterday evening, working right through the night in heavy snow, and they're ready to go back out again as and when needed.
"I want to thank them for their continued dedication. They work long hours in dangerous weather to keep Staffordshire moving, and they’ll continue to do so throughout today and into the weekend as conditions demand.
"With an amber warning still in place, I would urge people to only travel if necessary. If you do need to make a journey, please take it slowly, leave extra time and drive according to the conditions.”
There are currently no flood warnings active for Staffordshire, but melting snow is likely to create surface flooding in places so drivers are urged to take extra care if travelling.
