GRITTERS have sprung into action for the first time this winter, treating a number of routes on Cumbria's road network.

With the county experiencing the first cold snap of winter, Cumbria County Council's gritting teams treated a series of priority routes across the county on Saturday and Sunday, and this work was repeated as temperatures plummeted again on Monday and today.

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The council has 24,000 tonnes of salt stockpiled to treat roads and a 33-strong fleet of gritters ready to roll.

With the gritting season now in full swing, the council is closely monitoring road temperatures and weather conditions to make daily decisions on which, if any roads need to be gritted.

The council has a budget of £3.7m set aside to fund the highways winter maintenance service and will be routinely treating around 2,400km of highway, covering about one-third of the whole network.

Councillor Keith Little, Cumbria County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "The council's gritting staff play a vital role in helping to keep the county moving during winter, often working around the clock in extreme weather conditions to ensure Cumbria stays connected.

"I know the service is very much appreciated by our residents and we're well prepared for another challenging winter ahead."

The council is investing in an additional three new roadside weather stations in the west of the county this year, to further enhance weather assessments and decision-making on when to treat the network

Sat-nav technology is being trialled in some gritters.

The council's gritting service operates night and day to ensure drivers and other road users can stay on the move throughout winter.

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Priority one routes, which include many main roads across the county, are treated in less than three hours during freezing conditions. Priority two routes, which include A, B and C roads, will be treated in five hours.

The council is continuing to recruit volunteer snow champions who help keep agreed lengths of footways clear of snow in local communities.

Anyone interested in becoming a snow champion can call the Highways Hotline on 0300 303 2992.