Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

How many gritters exist?

Gritters have been dispatched onto UK roads as the country heads into a cold snap.

Neil Lancefield
Wednesday 07 December 2022 08:20 EST
Gritters have been dispatched onto UK roads as the country heads into a cold snap (Jacob King/PA)
Gritters have been dispatched onto UK roads as the country heads into a cold snap (Jacob King/PA) (PA Wire)

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.

Gritters have been dispatched onto UK roads as the country heads into a cold snap.

Here the PA news agency answers seven key questions about the vehicles:

– What are gritters?

Vehicles that spread rock salt.

– What does the salt do?

When it is spread before road surfaces drop below zero degrees Celsius it minimises the chances of frost or ice forming.

– How about snow?

Salt does not stop snow from settling on road surfaces, but it makes it easier for the snow to be removed.

– How many gritters exist

National Highways – which manages motorways and major A-roads in England – has 535 gritters based at 128 depots.

The Local Government Association said councils in England – which manage local roads – have an average of eight gritters and three pieces of related equipment such as snow blowers, tractors and quad bikes.

– How much salt is there?

The Local Government Association said councils in England have stockpiled a total of 1.4 million tonnes of salt.

National Highways has more than 280,000 tonnes of salt stored in barns at the start of each winter.

– Is that enough?

It depends on how bad the conditions are over the winter, but there are currently enough supplies for all gritters.

– Has the cost of salt increased?

English councils said the price of gritting salt has risen by an average of 2% in the past 12 months.

Five authorities reported increases of more than 10%.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in