Gritting teams across Worcestershire are already preparing for winter with teams from across the county taking part in a major dry run.
Worcestershire County Council’s annual exercise, held on Friday, September 18, tests drivers, vehicles, and winter routes to ensure the county is ready to respond swiftly and effectively when freezing temperatures and icy conditions are forecast.
The drill allows gritting crews to refresh their training, review operational plans, and travel their designated routes to spot any potential issues that could disrupt winter operations.
Any concerns identified will be reviewed and addressed where necessary ahead of winter.
Councillor Tom Wells, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “While winter may still feel some way off, preparations are already well underway across Worcestershire to make sure we’re ready when colder weather arrives.
“These dry run exercises are an important part of that work, helping drivers familiarise themselves with routes, identify any potential issues, and ensure our teams are prepared to respond when needed.
“By planning ahead and testing our operations before the season begins, we can put ourselves in the best possible position to keep Worcestershire moving safely during periods of snow and ice.”
The test run also gives new drivers valuable practical experience on the routes they’ll cover during snow and icy conditions, allowing them to build confidence and familiarity before the winter season starts.
Dry runs are taking place from Worcestershire County Council’s operational depots in Newland, Stanford, Lydiate Ash, Tenbury, and Hinton.
They form part of the council’s broader winter service preparations, which also include maintaining gritting vehicles, reviewing routes, and ensuring salt stocks are in place ahead of the season.
Residents can find more information about the council’s winter gritting services at www.worcestershire.gov.uk/gritting.
