WITH freezing temperatures forecast overnight, Hertfordshire Highways gritting team is preparing to salt 1,500 miles of roads in the county. For the second time this week, temperatures look likely to drop below zero so we re ready to do a gritting run b

WITH freezing temperatures forecast overnight, Hertfordshire Highways' gritting team is preparing to salt 1,500 miles of roads in the county.

"For the second time this week, temperatures look likely to drop below zero so we're ready to do a gritting run before freezing conditions occur," said Stuart Pile, county council executive member for highways and transport.

"The rain we've had this week will make driving conditions all the more dangerous. Please take extra care if you're travelling tonight or tomorrow."

The decision to send out the crews is based on information received from up-to-the-minute weather forecasts and twelve roadside weather-reporting stations linked to computers. This avoids the vehicles being sent out speculatively or too late to do any good.

Hertfordshire Highways salt the county's A and B roads, all major bus routes, at least one road in and out of villages, industrial areas and shopping centres. Around 300 tonnes of salt is used on each outing but, if weather is extreme, up to 1,500 tonnes a day could be spread on the county's roads.