Highways Agency 'prepared for winter'

Date: 9/11/2011

The Highways Agency has reassured motorists that it has made preparations to ensure it is ready for the onset of winter.

As the weather turns colder, the organisation has established a fleet of 500 state-of-the-art vehicles that will be on standby over the coming months.

Resilience plans have also been tested and over 250,000 tonnes of salt has been stocked ready to grit the roads.

This is 25 per cent more than reserves at the same time last year.

Roads Minister Mike Penning said: "The Highways Agency is ready for winter, but the experience of recent winters is that we must all play our part and be prepared."

Information on weather conditions will also be provided to drivers by Met Office weather forecasters based at the Highways Agency's National Traffic Operations Centre.

Last month, the organisation announced plans to modify service signs on Britain's roads with new logos to help motorists make more informed decisions about where to stop.

Posted by Sarah Bailey