NEWSROOM

On Friday 9 October, Telford & Wrekin Council's winter maintenance teams will be carrying out their annual dry gritter run, a planned exercise to make sure vehicles, routes and crews are fully prepared for the colder months ahead.

The practice run is a vital part of the Council's winter preparations and helps ensure gritting teams can respond quickly and efficiently when freezing temperatures and snow arrive later in the season.

During the exercise, gritters will travel their usual precautionary routes across the Borough, but no salt will be spread.

Councillor Nathan England, Cabinet Member for Safer Streets and Better Housing, said:

"Residents may spot our gritters on the roads and wonder if we've missed the weather forecast, but this is simply part of our annual preparations for winter.

"By carrying out a dry run now, we can check our vehicles, routes and procedures so that everything is ready when colder weather arrives. It gives our teams the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the routes and helps us make sure we're in the best possible position to keep the Borough moving throughout the winter months."

The Council monitors weather forecasts throughout winter and deploys gritters when conditions require treatment to help keep key routes safe and accessible.

The annual exercise forms part of a wider programme of winter readiness, ensuring equipment, salt stocks and operational plans are in place before temperatures begin to drop. Already the Council have taken stock of over 3,300 tonnes of grit salt in readiness for the winter months.

Residents can find out more about the Council's winter service, gritting routes and severe weather advice at https://www.telford.gov.uk/winter.