New gritter fleet photo

Highways England is rolling out 93 new gritters for use this winter, to ensure key transport routes are kept open and running smoothly.

The £16m government investment bolsters the agency’s 535-strong winter fleet, including 23 snow blowers capable of removing 2,500 tonnes of snow per hour.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “This year, it is more important than ever that Britain is prepared for the winter as we continue to tackle the pandemic.

“Through this work, we’ll ensure key routes to Covid-19 test centres remain open in the coming months.”