Staffordshire County Council’s gritting crews rolled out for the very first time this season, as temperatures plummeted across the county. The fleet of 37 gritters were in action across the county early Thursday morning (12 November), as road surface temperatures fell below freezing for the first time this season.

Also in action will be the county’s hill contractors, who go out across the higher grounds in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

Armed more than 20,000 tonnes of salt stockpiled, highways crews are equipped to battle any adverse weather conditions coming Staffordshire’s way.

Temperatures and road conditions across the network are monitored from weather stations across the county, and a team of winter decision makers make the call on whether to roll out the gritters.

On routine winter days and nights gritting crews will be focusing on the major routes and extending to the wider network in prolonged ice and snow conditions.

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.”

(Picture: Staffordshire County Council)