Essex: Sixty gritter lorries out in force this afternoon (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Essex: Sixty gritter lorries out in force this afternoon

10:40am Monday 14th January 2013 in News By Carri-Ann Taylor, Reporter

Essex County Council is warning people to take care on the roads this afternoon ahead of forecasts of heavy snowfall.

The county's 60 gritting lorries will be treating roads across the county from midday today and will be making further runs when necessary.

The gritters were out from 4pm yesterday and the early hours of this morning.

A spokesman said staff are on call 24 hours a day and salt stocks remain "healthy".

Each gritter is fitted with a GPS tracker and residents can follow them at www.essex.gov.uk/highways or on twitter at @Essex_Travel.

County Councillor Derrick Louis, Cabinet Member for Highways & Transportation said: “I am urging all residents to travel carefully today with the heavy snowfall we are currently expecting.

"Our gritters will be out across the county but please still take extra caution, particularly on pavements and side roads.

"I also advise residents to check the latest weather forecasts and travel news before they set out.”

A spokesman said: "Essex Highways is required to focus resources on keeping major roads clear, so it operates a specified salting network.

"This includes all ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads, access routes for emergency services, rural link roads and major public transport routes."

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