A FLEET of state-of-the-art vehicles fitted with the latest technology are set to keep the county's roads free of ice and snow this winter.

Hampshire County Council's highways team's winter vehicles have state-of-the-art Euro VI efficient engines, are fitted with snow ploughs, and with the latest technology including satnavs, programmed salting to prevent wastage and a record of which roads have been salted and when.

The highways teams use localised weather forecasting and roadside weather sensors around the county, constantly monitoring conditions to make decisions about the best time to salt the roads, where to salt and how much salt to use.

Councillor Rob Humby, Executive Member for Environment and Transport at Hampshire County Council, said: “Highways teams monitor conditions constantly, from October through to April, and send out the gritters when road surface temperatures are set to hit zero or below, and frost or ice is likely. The latest technology fitted in the new winter fleet means that salting operations are as efficient as possible, that salting is accurate, and there is no salt wasted.”

Roads are treated with salt before temperatures drop to freezing to try to stop frost and ice forming and temperatures and conditions can vary significantly even within one county, so, winter teams look at three distinct weather bands: north, central and coastal to help decide when and where to put the winter fleet to work.

Councillor Humby added: “We've a full stock of salt for the winter, with 20,000 tonnes of salt ready in barns which are strategically placed across Hampshire at Hook, Havant, Bishops Waltham, Weyhill, Totton, Micheldever, Dummer and Petersfield - and stocks are topped up when needed.

“During severe weather, everyone can do their bit in their community to keep pavements and smaller roads not covered by the main salting routes clear of ice, by using the salt provided in the blue or yellow community salt bins.

"There are around 3,700 across Hampshire, and all are now re-stocked and full for the winter. All it takes is about one tablespoon of salt (20 grams) to treat one square metre of road or pavement surface. So, used sparingly, a full salt bin should last through the worst of a severe winter.”

To find salt bin locations, go to hants.gov.uk/transport/roadmaintenance/severeweather/salting.