Motorists can sign up to receive online updates about which roads have been gritted thanks to a new service launched by Balfour Beatty, which manages the highways maintenance contract for West Sussex County Council.

The ‘Gritter Twitter’ feed will provide updates on the weather, road conditions and gritting activity across the county.

People can sign up for the information on the social networking site Twitter by searching for @WSCCGritting.

People who are not signed up to Twitter can view the information by going to www.twitter.com/wsccgritting

Pieter Montyn, County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: “The service is an excellent way of providing useful information to motorists to help them make informed decisions about driving during severe winter weather.”

Balfour Beatty manages and coordinates the highway winter activity in West Sussex and has invested in a new fleet of gritters which has the potential to use up to 20 percent less salt than the ones previously used.

The new gritters were put to use for the first time last night (Sunday 27 November ) as plummeting temperatures triggered the call-out procedure.

West Sussex Highways has over 10,000 tonnes of salt in its depots across the county. Throughout the winter the salt stock levels will be continuously assessed using an electronic monitoring system which Balfour Beatty will use to order more stock when required.

The County Council’s priority is to keep major routes treated and passable during severe weather. These are generally all 'A' roads (except the A23 and A27 which are looked after by the Highways Agency), most of the 'B' roads and other roads of local importance, such as major bus routes, roads to schools and hospitals and large industrial establishments.

People can find lots of useful advice about preparing for winter on the County Council website at www.westsussex.gov.uk/getreadyforwinter

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Out & About

MONKMEAD WOOD

VOLUNTEERS

Meeting on the 3rd Saturday of the month (weather permitting of course, but the more hardy ones tend to wrap up warm and brave the rain if it's not too heavy !).

MWVG is a small group of friends, neighbours and interested parties who get together to carry out light, varied seasonal conservation work in Monkmead Wood's.

Nothing too strenuous and if you like cutting down branches, helping to clear river banks or pulling a few sapplings, you'll have a lot of fun.

To find out more please contact Amanda Apps (West Chiltington Parish Tree Warden) or Click here for the MWVG web site.