Highway maintenance firm NY Highways, which runs North Yorkshire Council’s winter service, has entered a seven-year lease with Ripon-based engineering firm Econ.

The deal will see the delivery of 31 new gritters, which have been arriving in batches since October, with the final vehicles due on the roads in January.

The council’s executive member for highways and transport, Keane Duncan, said: ‘The partnership with Econ not only means we have the most up-to-date and reliable vehicles, but we’re delivering a significant cost saving for taxpayers too.

‘We are also pleased to be able to support a local firm as they are a big employer in the county.

‘We look forward to the gritters taking to the roads as we strive to keep the county moving this winter.’