GRITTERS: Teams hit the roads as freezing temperatures hit Nottinghamshire

Gritters hit the road in Nottinghamshire for the first time at the weekend, following a warning of icy patches.
Gritters hit the roads in NottinghamshireGritters hit the roads in Nottinghamshire
Gritters hit the roads in Nottinghamshire

Road surface temperatures were forecast to fall close to freezing by 5am on Sunday.

Nottinghamshire County Council said teams were on the roads by 8pm on Saturday night, salting all the county’s main routes.

The council’s gritters have been on part-time standby since the beginning of October and are set to go on full-time standby by Sunday in preparation for winter. They will remain that way until the end of March next year – or later if necessary.

“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,” said Coun Kevin Greaves, chairman of the transport and highways committee.

“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.”