Dorset highways team ready for winter

Dorset Council’s highways team is on standby to keep roads safe as temperatures begin to drop.

Almost one hundred crew members are available around the clock as part of the council’s winter resilience plan, with depots fully stocked and a fleet of gritters ready to treat key routes.

Covering 684 miles across 23 main routes, gritting takes place whenever road surface temperatures are forecast to fall below 0.5°C. During longer cold spells, additional rural routes are also treated to keep smaller communities connected.

Councillor Jon Andrews, Cabinet member for Place Services, said: “Our teams are ready to respond the moment temperatures drop. Whether it’s the middle of the night or during the day, they ensure that the roads are as safe as possible.”

He also urged drivers to show patience when following gritters, reminding motorists to slow down and keep a safe distance. “Even if gritters have been out, roads can still be slippery,” he said.

Last winter, the team was called out 79 times between November and April, carrying out more than 1,100 treatments and spreading 2,400 tonnes of salt. January was the busiest month, with crews heading out 35 times.

Dorset Council’s route-based weather forecasting system ensures salt is only used where and when it is needed, reducing environmental impact while keeping essential roads open throughout the season.