Teams of gritters on call as winter looms

Gritters were on standby in the region from today, ready for a long and cold winter – with Staffordshire highways chiefs revealing they have stockpiled 30,000 tons of salt. Two teams of 60 drivers are now on call around the clock.

County highways decision makers will also be closely monitoring weather forecasts so that they can quickly act to combat wintry conditions. Meanwhile six gritting trucks in Walsall have already staged a practice run on new routes that have been introduced this year.

The Staffordshire salt stockpile equates to 20 days' worth of continuous action.

Parish councils are being encouraged to make use of the salt in their own areas to meet the specific needs of their local communities in the event of persistent snowfall.