Gritters to make first winter run in Plymouth tonight

Gritters are due to make their first run of the winter tonight on Plymouth roads, in preparation for the cold weather expected to come in overnight. 

Road surface temperatures are forecast to fall to zero degrees tonight, despite air temperatures being expected to stay above freezing at two degrees. As a result, all primary and secondary gritting routes in and around the city are due to be treated to stop icy patches from forming. 

Amey, Plymouth City Council’s highways contractor, has its winter service team on standby 24 hours a day throughout the winter. The city’s salt barn at the Prince Rock Depot is full with more than 1,100 tonnes of salt and the 400 community salt bins around the city have also been topped up for people to use locally on public roads and footways.

The winter service period runs from the beginning of October to the end of March each year. During this period the weather is monitored closely via a dedicated forecast station and two sensor stations, to ensure roads are pre-treated with salt before temperatures drop and icy patches form.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Transport said: “We’re committed to keeping the city moving no matter what the winter throws at us. With zero degrees forecast for road temperatures tonight, it’ll be our first gritting run of the winter but we’re well prepared and gritting teams are ready to go.

“I’d encourage people to think carefully about what they need to do to travel safely in this year’s winter conditions. Checking the tyre pressures on your car and topping up screen wash could make all the difference on winter journeys in the city and throughout the rest of the county.”

Further information about gritting routes and location of community grit bins can be found at www.plymouth.gov.uk/wintermaintenance. Winter service updates will also be posted on Twitter by @plymouthroads.