Staffordshire has all 38 gritters out tonight as 'heavy snow' forecast

Rob Andrews

18 November 2024 at 1:55 pm·1-min read

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)

Gritters are treating North Staffordshire's roads tonight - and will do a repeat run if it snows overnight. Staffordshire County Council has its 38 gritters out for the first time in 2024/25.

It is being boosted by hill contractors who treat the six remotest routes in the Staffordshire Moorlands. Temperatures and road conditions are monitored with the support of weather stations.

It comes as a 15-hour weather warning is currently in place for snow and ice across Staffordshire. It ends at 10am on Tuesday 19 November.

Councillor Mark Deaville, cabinet member for strategic highways, said: “Our crews monitor the weather daily, and with temperatures dropping below zero across the county for the first time this season, it’s all systems go for our gritting crews. Our gritters were put through their paces by crews back in October ready for the winter season, so we are well prepared.

“This will be the first time this season that they’ve rolled out across the county, so will really be great practice for when the really bad weather hits. When it does, we will be pulling out all the stops to ensure our primary and secondary routes are treated across the network. 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.”

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