by Jo Earle

The Highways Agency says it's "prepared for the worst" on Kent's roads this winter.

It has 25% more salt in its barns than this time last year and has more than 100 vehicles on standby to clear the county's key routes.

It comes after one of the worst winters on record last year.

The agency is responsible for all three of Kent's motorways, as well as major A roads including the A2, the A20 and the A27.

Mark Clarks, highways manager for the south east, said: "We hold more than a quarter of a million tonnes of operational salt. In addition to that, we have strategic stock of 120,000 tonnes, should we need it."

The organisation says it has spent £45 million buying a new fleet of gritting lorries over the last four years.

It admits lessons were learnt last winter and has introduced new 'pre-wet salt' to put down on road surfaces across the county.

Mr Clarks explained: "It's more efficient in that the salt sticks to the road and is laid down with brine as it comes out of the spinner at the rear of the vehicle, so drivers won't get showered with clouds of rock salt like they used to.

"It also uses far less salt so environmentally, it's much better."

Meanwhile, Mr Clarks appealed to motorists only to make essential journeys during times of bad weather.

"After the coldest winter in 100 years last year, mother nature won on a number of occasions," he said.

"We'll get out and do our very best to clear the roads but if snow does hit, please only drive if it's essential to do so."