Gritters Prepare for Winter

Six gritters, named after local places by residents, are on standby around the clock to go out and treat roads to keep the area moving as we move in to winter. Weston-scooper-Mare, Burrrrrington, Portispread, Nailski, Sleetholm and Bleadon-cold are ready for when temperatures drop.

Last winter the fleet went out 48 times, completing 29 full runs and 19 ‘wet spot’ runs.

The council’s winter maintenance programme runs from the end of October through to the end of March but preparation starts as early as May when the operational plan is reviewed and how much salt will be needed to treat our roads over the winter period is considered.

The decision to grit is based on weather forecasts and three weather stations in the area that monitor road temperatures rather than air temperatures.

The council says highways staff are on duty 24-hours a day - including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day - to monitor weather conditions and let the gritter crews know when they’re needed. The six gritter lorries are on round-the-clock standby and can be called out to grit main routes with just two hours’ notice.

For more information about the council’s winter maintenance programme and to see the gritting routes visit the North Somerset Council website or follow nstravelandroads on Facebook.