Essex Highways deploys its winter gritting lorries

Tuesday, March 12, 2013
12:59 PM

ESSEX Highways has deployed its fleet of winter gritting lorries to treat Essex roads during the current icy conditions.

Salting runs took place between 12pm and 7pm yesterday (11 March) and from 1am and 9am this morning (12 March).

Decisions on further runs will be taken during today, depending on conditions.

County Councilor Derrick Louis, Cabinet Member for Highways & Transportation said: “We are doing everything we can to keep Essex roads moving during these current weather conditions.

“Our gritting lorries have been regularly spreading salt across our main road network, and will continue to do so as required.

“I am urging residents to travel with extra caution at this time, and make sure they have cleared any ice and snow from their vehicles before setting out.”

Each gritting lorry has been fitted with a GPS tracker, which allows their movements to be tracked in real-time, allowing residents to track the gritting lorries as they go along their specified routes.

Residents can keep up to speed with salting decisions and follow the lorries online, thanks to the live tracking system available at www.essex.gov.uk/highways.

Essex Highways claims that its gritting lorries have covered enough mileage to go seven times around the world, spreading over 26,000 tonnes of salt during the winter.