The Aebi Schmidt vehicle will help tackle ‘hazardous conditions’ on the council’s priority network, caused by the ‘substantial snowfall’ and ‘strong crosswinds’ usually expected between January and March each year.

Equipped with ‘clearing widths of 2,400 - 2,800mm’, the machine is self-propelled and can ‘throw snow up to 40 metres’.

The council secured the vehicle earlier this year and has confirmed it will be ‘fully operational for the forthcoming winter season’.

Highways Inspection and Maintenance Manager, Lee Potter, said the vehicle is expected to ‘play a key role in keeping […] routes open’.

‘This will help to ensure we meet our statutory duty to provide a safe and accessible priority network’, he added.

Aebi Schmidt UK area sales manager, Andy Odger, said: ‘We are delighted Durham County Council has added the Supra 4002 to its winter maintenance fleet and are confident it will play a major role in helping keep the county’s many and diverse routes open this coming winter season and for many years to come.’

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