National Highways are boasting that 36 brand-new, state-of-the-art gritting lorries based at 17 depots across the southeast, will keep drivers on the move this winter.
The depot at Marley Lane, Battle, will bear the brunt of freezing onslaughts in the Rye area but National Highways are convinced the new vehicles, equipped with technology allowing gritting routes to be uploaded directly to the vehicle, will prove a worthy adversary to any “beasts from the east”.
The gritters will have access to 20,000 tonnes of salt placed at strategic locations across Kent and East Sussex. Just 9,000 tonnes were used throughout the whole of last winter.
The total fleet of gritters in the south east now stands at 77, with the 36 new vehicles forming part of National Highways’ roll-out of 120 across the country. A further 132 will be delivered in time for winter 2022-23.
Duncan Smith, National Highways acting executive director of operations said; “The new vehicles are an impressive sight and this year’s roll-out demonstrates our commitment to keeping drivers safe throughout the winter months”.
Image Credits: National Highways .