Gritting teams braced for action as cold weather snap looms
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Road gritting and snow clearance teams are standing by to deal with the first onslaught of wintry weather as forecasters warn that temperatures are likely to plunge over the weekend.
Much colder weather is expected today, followed by temperatures plummeting to little above freezing on Friday and Saturday as schools break up for the half-term holiday.
With snow expected on Scottish mountains and sleet in other areas, the Gritit company is holding a skid-prevention training event at Donington Park race track in Derbyshire today.
Gritit said: "With forecasters predicting a significant drop in temperatures this weekend, we are expecting our teams to be out gritting for the first time this season."
Gritit's operations director, Nikki Singh-Barmi, added: "The driver safety training day at Donington is part of our annual preparations for the coming season.
"By the nature of their job, our drivers are required to be on the road during the most challenging and sometimes treacherous conditions, so it is vital they have the skills needed.
"We have a duty of care not only to our team and clients, but also the general public, and by introducing this practical training two years ago we've significantly reduced the number of incidents our drivers are involved in."
In the exercise, drivers will experience, among other things, skid control, the best ways of spreading salt and how to "read" the weather.
MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, predicted that temperatures, which have been well above average in most places for late October, could fall as low as 3C (37F) today.
A survey of nearly 2,000 drivers carried out by the RAC found that 28% were planning a holiday or a short break this autumn.
As a result, the breakdown service said it was gearing up for an autumn "roads rush" by scheduling an extra 10% patrol hours on October 26 as well as for the expected rise in return-to-work call-outs on Monday November 5 from people who have left a vehicle - often a second family car - unused for a week.
RAC technical director David Bizley said: "The expected extra half-term traffic will have a significant impact on congestion on the roads."
The RAC is advising motorists to listen to the weather forecast before making any long journeys and to ensure they are ready for adverse conditions on the road.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments