Gritters go hi-tech for the winter

Gritter crews in the East Riding are gearing up for their most hi-tech battle yet against winter weather.

For the first time, an automatic salting system is being used on six specially-equipped vehicles.

Using satellite navigation, the system not only tells the driver where to go, but automatically sprays salt on the roads according to a pre-set computer model.

The vehicles also carry infra-red CCTV cameras to monitor the spreading of the salt and use mobile phone technology to transmit data records back to their respective bases, detailing what actions have been taken.

Lester Burton, principal engineer at East Riding Council, said: "The satellite navigation system selects the correct amount of salt to be used on certain routes and then dispenses it.

"The system allows the driver to fully concentrate on driving because some of the more rural routes can be quite treacherous, even in vehicles like these.

"It also enables us to be much more precise in where the salt is dispensed.

"In the past, it has often been accidentally spread into hedgerows and gardens, but this system means we can direct the levels through the model to get the same results with less salt."

About 16,000 tons of salt is used each winter on the East Riding's roads, at a cost of more than £1.4m.

Each of the new hi-tech gritters costs about £100,000.

This winter, they will cover six of the 17 main gritting routes across the East Riding, with the remaining routes expected to be covered next year when all the winter vehicles will have been fitted with the auto-salting systems.

Mr Burton said: "The vehicles we have now are a far cry from the days of having a van in a lay-by with two men armed with a spade and a stick."

This winter, the council is also rolling out its pre-wetted salting treatment across the East Riding.

The treatment involves rock salt being sprayed with brine before being spread on to the roads.

Mr Burton said: "This makes the salt more effective because it starts working quicker."

Councillor Matthew Grove, cabinet member for highways maintenance said: "Safety on the roads is something the council takes very seriously and our maintenance operations team will continue to provide cutting-edge winter services to help with this goal."