Griff Rhys Jones has been doing his bit gritting the roads in the Hadleigh area over the past few days as Arctic conditions hit our area.

Not the television personalty himself who lives in Suffolk, but his namesake gritter lorry Grit Rhys Jones, along with Snow Patrol, Spread Sheeran, Father Gritmas and Gritty Gritty Bang Bang have been out trying to keep our routes open.

Their input comes as more than 24,000 tonnes of salt is stocked at locations across Suffolk ready to help keep Suffolk moving this winter gritting season.

Suffolk Highways, who treat Suffolk's road network when road surface temperatures drop below 1°C, has been carefully planning for the arrival of the winter gritting season; including establishing gritting routes, hiring drivers and preparing the gritting lorries for action.

During the 2021/2022 winter season, Suffolk's 40 gritting lorries used around 9,388 tonnes of salt to treat a total distance of 129,367 miles – which equates to travelling the circumference of Earth over five times!

 The highways teams are responsible for gritting 36 Priority 1 (P1) routes, which amounts to around 1,259 miles, including all A and B roads, roads to fire stations, hospitals, main bus routes and rail stations.

They also have 34 Priority 2 (P2) routes, which amounts to around 843 miles of the network, this includes other bus routes, roads leading to rural villages and access to schools. 

The P1 routes are completed when road surface temperatures are forecast to drop below 1°C and P2 routes are carried out when the forecast predicts there to be a longer period of hazardous conditions. 

But gritting the priority network isn't all that the teams do to prepare our county for wintry weather; Suffolk Highways has also refilled the 2,100 grit bins across the county at registered locations, such as the bottom of hills, or on junctions of minor roads. Grit bins are owned by parish and town councils and to ensure that the contents of grit bins are used to make roads safer, our communities are encouraged to monitor how and where the grit is used and if more is required to contact Suffolk Highways.

Councillor Paul West, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for Ipswich, Operational Highways and Flooding, said: "Our teams have been ready for whatever the weather throws our way. Each year, however severe, the highways teams deliver a successful winter operation, keeping the roads clear to ensure our residents are kept safe and our county moving. 

"I encourage residents to do their bit and support our teams by driving to the conditions and parking considerately, leaving enough room so that our vehicles can grit the road - if we can't fit, we can't grit.

Suffolk Highways' winter gritting efforts forms part of the county council's wider 'Winter Matters' campaign, to provide Suffolk's residents with tips and advice on how to help look after their money, health, wellbeing, and safety during the colder months. More information can be found by visiting www.suffolk.gov.uk/wintermatters.