GPS Quad Bikes & Twitter Used For Winter Operations

The Local Government Association (LGA) has undertaken a poll showing 18% of councils are increasing their salt stock supplies preparing for what could be a severe winter.

Temperatures have been plummeting recently and gritting vehicles have been out and about keeping our roads safe. Despite last year’s mild and wet winter a recent survey shows 1.3million tonnes of gritting material have already been bought for the forthcoming cold snap.

49% of town halls are practising the ‘sharing is caring’ motto by saying they are prepared to help a neighbouring authority if they fall short of supplies. One fifth of town halls will be sharing staff this year and a quarter is planning on sharing gritting machinery.

Cllr Peter Box the LGA’s transport spokesman highlighted council’s Christmas spirit where 83% has decided to fit gritting box’s for the public to have access to.

He said: “Last winter may have been dominated by flooding and mild temperatures but there is no room for complacency when it comes to being prepared for a cold winter given how unpredictable the weather can be in this country’ he added.

“Gritters have already been out testing routes and treating roads when temperatures have dropped below freezing overnight and highway teams are constantly monitoring up-to-the-minute weather reports to stay one step ahead of the weather.”

Technology will play a large part of efforts this year as gritters will be supercharged with GPS tracking technology to better prioritise spreading and avoid routes being gritted twice. Snow proof quad bikes will also be added to the winter artillery this year to treat pavements in town centres. Twitter will also play a huge role in winter operations with three quarters of authorities adopting the social media channel to keep their residents updated.