WITH temperatures forecast to fall rapidly this week Herts Highways fleet of 58 gritters are ready for action. Colder weather than normal is expected for this week with night temperatures likely to fall below freezing tomorrow (Tuesday) with the possibil

WITH temperatures forecast to fall rapidly this week Herts Highways' fleet of 58 gritters are ready for action.

Colder weather than normal is expected for this week with night temperatures likely to fall below freezing tomorrow (Tuesday) with the possibility of wintery showers during the day.

Herts County Council's executive member for highways, transport and rural affairs, Stuart Pile, said: "The information at the moment is that there may be ice and wet snow later this week with road temperatures dropping below zero, so our gritting teams are all ready. Road users should take extra care in these weather conditions."

He added: "As usual for this time of year, the highways emergency teams are on stand-by round the clock to salt the roads at exactly the right time. The crews keep a constant eye on the latest weather forecasts so that - where possible - salting is carried out before freezing conditions occur."

The decision to send out the crews is based on information received from up-to-the-minute weather forecasts and 12 roadside weather-reporting stations linked to computers.

Herts Highways salt the county's A and B roads, all bus routes and at least one road in and out of villages, industrial areas and shopping centres.

Around 300 tonnes of salt are used on each outing, but if weather is extreme, up to 1,500 tonnes a day could be spread on the county's roads.

There are also around 800 salt bins at known trouble spots like steep hills outside the salting routes, for use on a self-service basis.