Staffordshire gritters roll out for first winter run as icy conditions set in

Gritters in Staffordshire have been busy gritting the roads for the first time this winter season.

Staffordshire County Council’s fleet of 37 gritters were busy gritting the county’s roads early Thursday morning (November 13), as road surface temperatures fell below freezing for the first time this November.

There is reportedly more than 20,000 tonnes of salt stockpiled as highways crews are expected to handle adverse weather conditions this winter.

• Read more: Sandwell gritters out in force for first winter run as icy conditions set in

Peter Mason, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways said: “Our crews are now monitoring the weather on a daily basis, and were ready to roll this morning as soon as temperatures dropped below freezing. After driving their routes and putting gritters through their paces, crews were well-prepared to cover their routes for the first time this season.

“Rolling our gritting fleet—including our 11 new gritters—out now gives crews the perfect practice for when the really bad weather hits. And, when it does, crews will be pulling out all the stops to treat our primary and secondary routes across the network. With temperatures set to remain low over the next couple of days before rising again, our crews will continue to monitor the weather and roll out when needed.

“Regardless of whether a road has been gritted, in icy and snowy conditions motorists need to slow down, take extra care and allow more time for their journeys.”