Gritters are back on patrol as winter returns.
Herefordshire Council has launched its winter road treatment programme, aiming to keep the county’s roads safe in icy conditions.
Running from 15 October until 15 April, the scheme involves gritting around 600 miles of roads and is supported by 6,200 tonnes of salt and a fleet of 17 gritters.
Ed Bradford, major contracts programme director at Herefordshire Council, said: "Winter gritting is a year-round operation.
"As soon as one season finishes, we’re reviewing our plans, checking the vehicles and getting ready for the next one.
"It’s not just a case of looking out of the window and deciding it’s a bit cold, so we’d better send the gritters out.
"There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes to make sure we get those decisions right."
Routine gritting covers nearly 30 per cent of the county’s road network, including main roads, commuter routes, and roads used by emergency services.
During severe weather, up to 420 additional miles of secondary routes may also be treated, depending on conditions and resources.
Decisions on when and where to grit are reviewed three times daily using specialist weather forecasts, data from seven weather stations, and input from local highways teams.
Gritting drivers can be called out at any hour and often work through the early morning and holidays, including Christmas Day.
A single run can take up to four hours.
Mr Bradford said: "Our gritting drivers really are the unsung heroes of winter.
"They’re the people getting up at three in the morning, heading out in freezing conditions so the rest of us can get to work or take our children to school."
The winter service relies on around 50 staff, including drivers, highways officers, and support teams.
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Snow blowers and other equipment are also on standby for heavier snowfall.
Councillor Barry Durkin, cabinet member for roads and regulatory services, said: "There’s a huge amount of work that goes into preparing for winter, and I’d like to thank everyone involved for making sure we’re ready.
"Our gritting crews do a fantastic job, often working through the night in difficult conditions to help keep Herefordshire moving."
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