Sponsored Editorial

As ice and snow continues to cause disruption across Kent, Kent County Council’s (KCC) gritting teams have been on the go helping to keep the county moving.

Gritting teams and gritter trucks including TruGrit, IceIceBaby, Margrit and SaltyMcGritFace have hit the road this winter after working hard to prepare for when the temperature dropped.

The KCC highways teams and 65 gritters cover a road network of 58 primary routes (a total of up to 1,300 miles of road) once the road surface temperature is predicted to go below 0C. Their social media feeds provide up to date gritting and weather information, and you can follow them at Gritting Kent on Facebook or follow @GrittingKent on Twitter.

Crews are deployed to spread grit through the night and at key times when temperatures drop, reducing the risk of ice accumulating on Kent’s major roads. Using historical information and from road surface temperature sensor readings, crews are ready to help keep roads clear.

But whilst they are prepared, it is still important for road users to make sure they are safe during the winter months.

Here are a few tips to make sure your vehicle is winter ready and advice on how we can all stay safe.

• Check tyres are at the correct pressure (the wrong pressure and low tread could cause skidding).
• Top up anti-freeze and screen wash.
• Check brakes and oil.
• Check ahead - Make sure you check every single journey before setting off. (Follow @KentHighways twitter for live traffic information)
• Carry essentials in your car: Water, blanket, phone charger, ice scraper and de-icer.
• Make sure windows are clear of ice and condensation before setting off.
• Ensure any snow is clear from vehicle roofs and bonnets before driving.

KCC’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport David Brazier said: “Our hardworking gritting teams are here to help make sure we can keep Kent moving as smoothly as possible.

“We are doing all we can to share information, top tips and make sure communities are well equipped to help themselves.

“In order to help us with that, we need people at home to take responsibility for preparing properly for their own journeys.

“Before setting off, everyone should check their vehicles are safe and roadworthy. During bad weather, people should drive to the conditions and make sure they leave plenty of room between them and the vehicle in front.

He added: “We know active travel has become evermore popular and so we are also appealing to all road users to look out for cyclists and pedestrians this winter.”

Salt bins are also deployed in some areas in Kent and are filled before the winter season starts. Salt bins are for use on the highway only and not for private land. Communities are encouraged to work together to safely scatter grit on the road and pavements.

KCC also has a fleet of farmers who help plough snow in more rural areas.

You can view the gritting routes and salt bin locations on the official website. Please ensure parked cars do not prevent gritters (or other emergency vehicles) from getting through, or they will be unable to grit or plough that route.

In addition to advice about being prepared for winter driving, KCC has also launched a dedicated homepage where residents can find useful advice on how to stay safe, keep warm and well and for support this winter. You can find out more at www.kent.gov.uk/thiswinter.

For further advice for travelling around Kent, click here.