Winter may seem some time away but Cheshire East Council have been planning ahead. The authority has been training highways officers to drive gritting vehicles, ready for the forthcoming winter.
A further five officers are now officially permitted to salt Cheshire East’s roads- bring the total number of drivers to almost 70.
The move follows the severe winter weather experienced across Cheshire East last December and January. Gritting teams worked around the clock in an effort to keep priority routes open to commuters.
The newly-trained gritting vehicle drivers are already employed by Cheshire East Council; driving waste and recycling vehicles and as such already have a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) licence.
Cheshire East Councillor Rod Menlove, Cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, said: “The newly-trained drivers will be called upon during severe weather conditions, where round-the-clock salting necessitates the use of extra staff to boost this efficient and well-organised service for the benefit of local residents.
“Our highways team worked extremely hard over the winter months in what were very difficult circumstances. I would like to commend their efforts and congratulate those who are newly qualified. This means we are now, in June, already preparing for whatever the coming winter throws at us, although, I am sure many people will join me in hoping for a milder season.”
