Winter Warriors: 93 New High-Tech Gritters Hit England’s Roads
This winter, England’s motorways and major A roads will be patrolled by 93 brand-new, cutting-edge gritters in a multi-million-pound blitz to keep traffic moving – even in the nastiest weather.
Faster, Smarter, Safer Gritters
These state-of-the-art gritters aren’t just bigger and better looking – they’re smarter too. Equipped with advanced tech, they can be pre-programmed with specific route info, meaning salt is spread precisely where it’s needed. This clever setup lets drivers focus on the road, boosting safety for everyone.
What’s more, they treat roads at speeds up to 50mph – that’s 10mph quicker than older models, speeding up gritting runs and helping keep traffic flowing sooner.
Highways England Ready for Winter Warfare
Jane Wilkins, Highways England’s winter fleet boss, said:
“The latest vehicles contain innovative technology which includes being able to pre-programme the gritters with information specific to each gritting route. This enables salt to be spread onto the road automatically, considering any specific requirements for bridges, landscape and other road features allowing drivers to give their full attention to driving at all times.
When the wintry weather does arrive, our 1,300 specially trained gritter drivers will be ready to work round the clock to keep traffic moving.”
Highways England’s winter arsenal also includes:
- 535 gritters, all serviced and ready after summer check-ups
- 127 depots strategically placed across the network
- 23 snow blowers capable of clearing up to 2,500 tonnes of snow per hour
- Over 280,000 tonnes of salt stockpiled for icy conditions
- 250 weather stations monitoring the entire 4,400 miles of motorways and major A roads
Overhead warning signs will alert drivers to severe weather in real time.
Top Tips for Driving in Winter Weather
When the cold bites, here’s how to stay safe on the roads:
- Snow & Ice: Stick to main roads wherever possible and only travel if necessary. Pack a snow kit with an ice scraper, de-icer, warm clothes, blankets, and sunglasses to tackle low winter sun glare.
- High Winds: Beware lorries, caravans, and motorbikes – slow down and avoid exposed roads if you can.
- Heavy Rain: Keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, ease off the accelerator if steering feels unresponsive, and slow down if visibility drops from spray and rain.
- Fog: Use fog lights, never full beam headlights, which reflect back and worsen visibility. If visibility is zero, find a safe spot to stop until it clears.
Stay alert. Stay safe. And let England’s new high-tech gritters do the hard work this winter.
