AROUND 1,000 miles of Somerset roads were gritted by Somerset County Council’s highways team last night (Wednesday, November 5) ahead of the first winter frost.

A total of 23 drivers headed out at 7.30pm with 85 tonnes of salt to grit 1,400km of county roads – all in 2.5 hours.

Cllr Harvey Siggs, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for highways, said: “While forecasts are telling us that the weather is swiftly expected to turn mild again later this week, Somerset’s residents can be assured that our Highways team are fully prepped for when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

“Our gritters have all been test driven and prepared, and we are fully stocked with salt – enough to cover 1,200 football pitches every time we go out to grit.

“We will do everything we can to keep essential road links open and help motorists travel safely as winter sets in.”