The annual trials, carried out by Herefordshire Council and Balfour Beatty Living Places, ensure that vehicles, equipment, and systems are ready to keep the county’s highways safe during the colder months.

Although no salt is spread during these tests, the runs allow drivers to familiarise themselves with priority routes and confirm that all machinery is working efficiently.

Cllr Barry Durkin, Cabinet Member for Roads and Regulatory Services, said the county has a strong winter maintenance plan to ‘maintain transport connections for as many local communities as possible throughout the county and keep Herefordshire moving safely.’

Fifteen frontline gritters are on standby 24/7 to treat more than 1,600km of roads across the county until April 2026. Crews will monitor weather conditions closely to ensure timely action.

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