Council takes delivery of grit for winter

It may be the height of summer, but 8,000 tonnes of salt is being delivered to Somerset’s six county highway depots to treat the roads this winter.

In a typical winter, the county council uses about 7,000 tonnes of salt. The latest delivery brings the stock to 9,000 tonnes.

During the last two severe winters, more than 31,000 tonnes of rock salt were used. The county’s reserves are replenished throughout the winter where resources allow.

Somerset County Council’s winter maintenance service pre-treats 1,430km of roads and post treats 570km – 30 per cent of Somerset’s road network.

It is also continually investing in improving its fleet of gritters.