Gritters on standby to tackle winter roads

West Berkshire Council says Usain Salt, Sir Gritalot, Melty Micky, and the rest of the 9-strong gritter fleet are ready for action as temperatures drop.

Test runs have been successfully completed and 2,500 tonnes of salt is in stock.

Last winter, the gritters covered 11,515 miles.

Cllr Stuart Gourley, Executive Member for Environment and Highways at West Berkshire Council, said:

“Our dedicated winter maintenance teams work tirelessly in all weathers to keep our roads safe. Preparations like test runs and having salt ready in stock are vital to ensure everything runs smoothly when temperatures drop. This is all part of our commitment to keeping West Berkshire moving through winter.”

The council's also leading a Berkshire-wide initiative to install advanced thermal sensors on roads - helping more accurate decisions to be made about when and where to grit.

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