Gritters on 24/7 standby

More gritting machines are also on order in preparation for the winter months ahead.

The teams have been on low-risk standby since the beginning of October but will move into fulltime standby and will remain that way until the end of March next year – or later if necessary.

Coun Kevin Greaves, chairman of the transport and highways committee said: “Our planning for winter carries on all year round and we are confident that we are in a stronger position than ever to deal with winter.

“Our preparations mean that we will be ready to act as soon as any bad weather arrives.

“Like most people we keep our fingers crossed and hope that the coming winter won’t be too severe, but we have to be realistic and plan for the worst,

“The County Council gives high priority to winter maintenance and we are determined to keep our county on the move this winter.”

The council’s four salt barns are full giving it 12,000 tonnes more salt stockpiled than official Government recommendations.