Highways England’s team of 1,300 specially trained gritter drivers based across the country are geared up for winter – and are urging drivers to do the same.

The company responsible for the country’s motorways and main A roads including the A38 and A30 has more than 280,000 tonnes of salt, and more than 500 salt spreading vehicles ready around the clock to help drivers get to their destinations safely. 

The South West has 28,000 tonnes of salt stored at 11 operational depots, placed in strategic locations across the region, and a fleet of more than 60 winter service vehicles, including two snow blowers, on stand-by throughout the winter.

Highways England has nearly 130 winter service depots across the country, and more than 250 environmental sensor stations that provide real-time monitoring of road weather conditions and temperatures.

Highways England is urging drivers not to use the hard shoulder to undertake gritters. 

Drivers are asked not to take unnecessary risks this winter and only pass a gritter when it is safe to do so, avoiding using the hard shoulder and checking for hazards ahead.