Severe weather warning: Residents urged to travel ‘with caution’ as heavy snowfall predicted today

RESIDENTS are being urged to travel with caution today (January 14) as heavy snowfall is forecast from this afternoon.

The Essex Highways fleet of 60 winter gritting lorries will be treating roads across the county again from midday today, and further runs will take place as required.

Gritters were out across the county from 4pm on Sunday and again from 3am this morning treating roads in advance of peak time this morning.

Staff are on call 24 hours a day, and the county’s salt supplies remain at a healthy level.

Residents can keep up to speed with the Essex Highways gritting lorries online, thanks to a new live tracking system available at essex.gov.uk/highways. Each gritting lorry has been fitted with a GPS tracker, which allows their movements to be tracked in real-time, allowing residents to track the gritting lorries as they go along their specified routes.

Residents can also receive the latest gritting updates by following @Essex_Travel on Twitter.

County councillor Derrick Louis, cabinet member for Highways & Transportation, said: “I am urging all residents to travel carefully today with the heavy snowfall we are currently expecting. Our gritters will be out across the county but please still take extra caution, particularly on pavements and side roads.

“I also advise residents to check the latest weather forecasts and travel news before they set out.”

Essex Highways is required to focus resources on keeping major roads clear, so it operates a specified salting network. This includes all ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads, access routes for emergency services, rural link roads and major public transport routes. To check which routes will be treated, visit essex.gov.uk/highways.

The website also features tips and advice on winter driving and how to clear snow and ice safely.