County gritting will cost �4.3m

GRITTING in Hertfordshire this winter is set to cost �4.3million. Hertfordshire Highways is counting the cost of the recent cold spell, which has seen some of the worst weather conditions in the last 20 years. With two months left of the gritting season

GRITTING in Hertfordshire this winter is set to cost �4.3million.

Hertfordshire Highways is counting the cost of the recent cold spell, which has seen some of the worst weather conditions in the last 20 years.

With two months left of the "gritting season", which lasts from October to April, the council is anticipating that the total cost of keeping the county's roads salted and safe for motorists will mean an overspend of more than �1million.

Cllr Stuart Pile, executive member for Highways, Transport and Rural Affairs at Hertfordshire County Council, said: "Our road salting crews and managers are doing an incredible job keeping on top of the bad weather we've seen so far.

"We would like to reassure residents and road users that our priority will always be people's safety, and there is no question of compromising safety to try to reduce costs.

"Once we've had a thaw, we can start to look at the damage caused to roads."

Residents can report damaged roads and footways to Hertfordshire Highways on www.hertsdirect.org/highwayfaults or 01438 737320 or 01923 471320.