Worcestershire gritters park up after clocking 49,500 miles (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Worcestershire gritters park up after clocking 49,500 miles

10:10am Wednesday 2nd May 2012 in Local

GRITTING teams travelled five times the equivalent of Kidderminster Town Hall to the South Pole in Worcestershire over the winter.

Worcestershire County Council's gritters clocked up around 49,500 miles, which was less than the previous few winters.

The crews have parked their vehicles for the final time after being on standby ready to roll out since October.

Although nature was kinder to Worcestershire this year temperatures still regularly dipped below freezing over the winter months and teams experienced their busiest time ever when snow hit the county on the weekend of February 4 and 5.

A total of 15,000 tonnes of salt was held in stock, the most the authority has had at the start of the season. Around 6,000 tonnes was used. What is left at highways depots can be saved and used during the 2012/13 season.

Preparations have already begun to put everything in place for next winter.

Conservative councillor John Smith, county council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "As ever, the gritting teams have done a fantastic job and I'd like to say thank you to everyone involved on behalf of the people of Worcestershire.

“This winter hasn't been as harsh as the last few but we were still kept very busy when temperatures dipped, as is evident from the amount of miles clocked up.”

He added: “Work will now continue over the summer to make sure we're all ready to go again from October."