Grit stores restocked as winter looms

IN an effort to keep Leicestershire's roads safe during the winter months, grit stores across the county are being restocked.

Around 7,500 tonnes started arriving in August from the supplier Salt Union, to replenish the county council's grit barns.

Cllr David Slater outside the grit store.
Tonnes of grit being delivered.

This will bring the total stock to more than 16,000 tonnes, enough to fill more than 12 Olympic sized swimming pools.

The first batch of 4,500 tonnes has been delivered a new barn in Market Harborough.

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More will land in Melton, Nailstone, Mountsorrel and Misterton over the next few months.

David Slater, support cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "The investment in the new barn at Market Harborough, which replaces storage at Billesdon which was coming to the end of its useful life, demonstrates our commitment to ensuring Leicestershire's road network is kept up and running during icy weather."

Last winter, 10,600 tonnes of salt and grit were needed to keep Leicestershire's roads moving during unprecedented icy conditions.

Gritter drivers worked round-the-clock to keep the network up and running and took to the roads 51 times.

When ice is forecast, the council aims to treat 45 per cent of the road network including most A roads, some B and C class roads, major commuter and bus routes and as far as is possible, at least one route through all Leicestershire villages.

The county council has 17 gritters which spread roughly 150 tonnes of the special salt and molasses mix each night, covering about 1,200 miles of highway.