Gritters 'ready to take action' in test runs

Councillors say there is a fleet of 24 gritters on standby

Gritting crews will be deployed across Wiltshire on test runs over the next few weeks before expected freezing temperatures hit.

Wiltshire Council said such runs allowed its winter maintenance team to ensure all equipment was working properly and to familiarise themselves with the routes.

It added that residents could expect appearances from vehicles named Thaw Enforcement, Usain Salt, and Sir David Attenburrrr.

Councillor Nick Holder said there was a fleet of 24 gritters on standby, "strategically placed in depots around Wiltshire – ready to take action".

'Everything running smoothly'

According to the council, last winter, the crews were deployed 46 times and distributed 5,000 tonnes of salt, treating 34,500 miles (55,500km) of Wiltshire’s roads.

The council has 12,000 tonnes of salt in stock, placed throughout the county in six storage sites.

“When the weather drops below zero, we focus on A and B roads as these are primary routes," Mr Holder told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“However, we want to remind residents to not assume a road has been gritted, and to always drive to the conditions as some roads are only treated during prolonged periods of cold weather.

“A commitment in our business plan is to have well-connected communities and preparing for the colder months is a part of this, as we want to keep everything running smoothly while prioritising safety."

Wiltshire Council recently warned that it expected a rise in the number of reported potholes as the winter drew in.

It noted that the increase was of a cyclical nature and occurred during the transition from autumn to winter.