Dorset Council prepped for winter with 25 new gritting vehicles
The authority's got 100 team members on standby for the season
2\5 new gritting vehicles have been brought in to Dorset Council ahead of the winter - to keep us moving on the roads in inclement weather.
The authority says the new trucks are more efficient, with more modern engines to improve fuel economy.
The highways team has almost 100 staff ready for winter callouts, and regular salt runs on 23 routes across Dorset.
Last year, the crews were utilised 39 times from 1st November 2023 to 1st April 2024, with 58 individual route treatments.
A total of 2,839 tonnes of salt used - that's less then the year before, due to milder weather overall.
The busiest month was January, with 19 callouts and 1,648 tonnes of salt used.
Cllr Jon Andrews, Cabinet member for Place Services, said:
“As always, we are well-prepared to keep vital roads open during adverse weather conditions.
“Our dedicated teams step away from their regular duties when needed to ensure residents, businesses and emergency services can continue to travel around safely.”
Dorset’s gritting operations cover 684 miles of roads, going out when surface temperatures are expected to drop below half of one degree Celsius.
Community routes serving smaller villages and hamlets will also be treated during prolonged periods of freezing temperatures to ensure rural communities can continue to travel.
As the gritting crews comprise Dorset Council employees who carry out other highways maintenance roles, there may be times when more crews are needed for gritting.
This may delay other regular highways work taking place.
Cllr Andrews reminded drivers to remain cautious, and courteous. He said:
“Conditions can change quickly, so please take care when out and about. If you find yourself behind a gritting vehicle, please be patient and take care on freshly gritted roads.”
“Our crews are on call for 6 months every winter to keep our roads safe, stepping away from their busy regular roles. Please be courteous when you see them, whether in the gritter lorry or doing regular highways work. They are working hard to keep Dorset moving and you safe.”