Full use is made of the latest weather forecasting techniques.  Daily weather forecasts and a computerised ice prediction system uses information from roadside ice stations to get the most accurate indications of where and when ice is likely to form, and whether precautionary salting might be needed.

Salt works by turning the ice or snow surrounding each salt granule into a saline solution which has a lower freezing point than water.  The action of traffic is essential for salting to be effective - moving the salt granules around and eventually melting all the ice.

The County Council has invested in a new and improved way of gritting the roads using pre-wetted salt.  This method, which mixes dry salt and brine, is much more effective than the old system, uses less salt and is kinder to the environment.  On more lightly trafficked roads, the surface will remain icy for some time after salting and it must be stressed that the spreading of salt does not mean that the road surface will instantly become ice free.  Drivers should always drive with caution whether the road has been salted or not.

All our gritting vehicles are fitted with GPS tracking and data collection equipment.  This records and beams back by satellite detailed information on time, speed, location, gritting spread rate and spread width.  The vehicles are also fitted with infrared rear view cameras so that the driver has a visual check that the gritter is spreading properly.