Worcestershire County Council has confirmed that its annual winter maintenance programme has officially been kickstarted.
In a statement yesterday, the local authority revealed that its fleet of 36 gritting vehicles and over 50 drivers are poised to deliver services in response to changing weather conditions – such as forecasted freezing temperatures, frost, ice, or snow.
The council’s fleet technology allows for real-time vehicle monitoring while teams are treating the priority road network, supporting more ‘coordinate[d] responses and maximise[d] coverage’ of routes.
Furthermore, the local authority’s ‘extensive salt supplies’ (roughly 16,750 tonnes) are regularly replenished to ensure the efficiency of operations during the winter season, with residents having access to more than 1,400 grit bins across the county to use on public roads and footways.
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Cllr Tom Wells, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport, said: ‘Keeping Worcestershire moving during the winter months requires a huge amount of preparation, planning and teamwork long before temperatures begin to fall. Our winter service plays a vital role in supporting residents, businesses and visitors by helping to keep key routes across the county safe and accessible throughout the season.
‘We have experienced teams, specialist equipment and significant salt stocks in place, allowing us to respond quickly and effectively whenever winter weather arrives. Behind every gritting run is a dedicated team working around the clock to monitor forecasts, assess conditions and ensure we’re ready to act when needed.
‘While we do everything possible to keep priority routes treated, winter weather can be unpredictable. I’d encourage everyone to prepare for seasonal conditions, allow extra time for journeys and take extra care when travelling during periods of severe weather. Together, we can help keep Worcestershire moving safely throughout the winter.’
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Photo: © Alex Gruber.
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