UK Heatwave: Gritters to help protect Hampshire roads from heat

Gritting lorries are being used to spread sand on exposed roads to stop them from melting further

A council is preparing to deploy gritters in response to melting roads as temperatures soar.

Hampshire County Council said the machines would be spreading light dustings of sand.

This "acts like a sponge to soak up excess bitumen", according to the authority.

Gritters are normally used to distribute salt during the winter to stop ice forming on roads.

The areas most likely to be targeted by the vehicles this week are those with older road surfaces, in rural locations and south facing.

The gritter lorries spread light dustings of sand

Residents are being urged to report any road problems on the council's website.

Motorists who find tar stuck to their tyres are advised to wash it off with warm soapy water.

A spokesman for the Local Government Association said: "Snow and ice are the last thing on most people's minds at the moment and I'm sure there's been a lot of head-scratching if they've seen our gritters out on the roads in the height of summer.

"However, our gritting teams are once again playing a vital role in keeping the country's roads safe for motorists."

Councils would continue to monitor road temperatures and once the weather cools will begin carrying out repairs if needed, he added.

The Met Office has issued an extreme weather warning for Sunday, as temperatures are expected to climb to 34C on Monday.

The rare amber alert covering much of England and Wales is used to warn people of potential health and transport issues caused by the heat.

On Monday, Queen Alexandra Hospital hospital in Portsmouth declared a critical incident due to staff sickness and the strain of the prolonged hot weather.