Hertfordshire Highways winter facts, travel and driver advice

Hertfordshire Highways responds to safety issues on our roads and faces particular challenges during the winter. We aim to help road users travel safely wherever ice is predicted by carrying out pre-salting of the busiest roads, although it's no substitute for driving carefully.

Winter service

Every year we review our Winter Service Operational Plan to clarify the objectives and priorities of our service and ensure we're meeting the county's needs.

We have 61 vehicles delivering our winter maintenance service. The vehicles have satellite technology fitted, enabling us to pinpoint exactly where our lorries have been and which roads they have treated.

A duty officer is on call 24 hours a day throughout the winter to review all the available information and plan the timing and extent of action.

In really extreme conditions we can call upon an extended team of more than 50 farmers, landowners and District partners across the county to support us when necessary and who have resources supported by us to assist with snow clearance. When this additional support is needed, our works team co-ordinates all activity to ensure effective gritting and snow clearance across Hertfordshire.

The facts

Did you know?

• We have a working stock of over 12,000 tonnes of salt available
  
• There are 12 weather recording stations across the county
  
• It takes 2 hours to complete a typical precautionary salt
  
• Each time we salt we use 300 tonnes of salt, 300 gallons of fuel and cover 1,500 miles (2500km)
  
• Last year we made 46 salting outings
  
• We provide over 1000 salt bins across the county at known trouble spots
  

Advice to drivers

• Always take care when driving in icy conditions and never assume that the road is clear of ice before setting out
  
• Don't make unnecessary journeys when the weather is bad and, in extreme conditions, stay off the road
  
• Move more slowly, steer smoothly and brake gently
  
• Use gears to slow down to minimise the risk of skidding
  
• Plan a route that keeps to treated roads, trunk roads and motorways where possible
  
• Keep sunglasses handy to avoid glare from low winter sun
  
• Keep windscreens clean
  
• Wear driving gloves not winter gloves, so you can grip the steering wheel properly
  
• Tyre condition makes all the difference get them checked
  
• Check your lights work correctly
  
• Keep your distance from spreaders and the vehicle in front
  
• Ask yourself if your journey is absolutely necessary
  
• Check the local and national weather forecasts
  
• Listen to local and national radio for travel information
  
• Tell someone what time you expect to arrive
  
• Be prepared for unexpected delays. Take warm clothes, food, boots and a torch, and in snowy conditions, a spade
  
• Clear your windows, lights and mirrors before you set out and carry a screen scraper and de-icer
  

For more advice and tips on how to drive safely in the snow, please click on the 'Further driving tips' link below.