Preparations for keeping roads in County Durham moving this winter are well underway.
Durham County Council is making sure its fleet of gritters and winter maintenance vehicles are ready to go when needed. The council’s winter maintenance team is making sure that salt barns across the county are stocked with 42,000 tonnes of salt ready to tackle any ice and snow and replenishing more than 2,300 salt bins located in key areas across the county to assist residents and businesses.
During the winter season, 1,700km of County Durham’s priority one roads will be treated, covering almost half of the county’s road network. More minor routes, or more than 380km priority two roads, will also be treated in times of prolonged severe weather when resources are available.
Cllr John Shuttleworth, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for rural communities and highways, said: “While we are still enjoying the milder weather as we head into autumn, we need to be prepared for the first frost and any potential for snow fall during the winter period.
“It’s important that the winter maintenance fleet and salt stockpiles are ready to go as soon as the weather turns. All of the vehicles have to be well maintained and serviced as the conditions can be challenging for our divers and they need to be able to rely on these vehicles.”
Each of the county’s 40 power gritters is fitted with 360-degree cameras and trackers to help improve safety and provide up-to-date information on the latest weather conditions.
Residents can follow @DurhamCouncil on Twitter and use the hashtag #TwitterGritterNE on Twitter or like @durhamcouncil on Facebook for the latest information on the roads. To see a list of priority gritting routes, find out which roads are affected by adverse weather, or to track the council’s gritters as they are out and about and see the roadside weather cameras, visit www.durham.gov.uk/winterinfo
Residents can also find their nearest salt bin, or request that one is refilled, by visiting
www.durham.gov.uk/saltbins or calling 03000 260000.
