THE NIGHTS are getting chillier and most people are switching on their heating or wrapping up warm to avoid the cold this winter period.

But for several road workers, their job involves braving the low temperatures to keep Bracknell Forest’s highways safe.

Gritting lorries undertake huge operations salting more than 280 miles of borough roads.

Ten part-time drivers tackle the challenge by night, but during the day they work on repairing and maintaining highways.

This involves gully-emptying, street lighting and road improvements.

While some drivers told the News they appreciate the peace and quiet of working with few cars on the road at night, they also said the worst thing about the job was how it kept them away from home when bad weather sets in.

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Drivers are all qualified in winter roads maintenance and are put through skid-pan training for when there is snow on the ground.

Primary routes are the focus for gritters when they head out - this means salting more than 110 miles of busy main roads.

Bracknell Forest has three gritting lorries and it takes them two hours to cover the primary salting network.

Councillor Thomas Parker, a ward member for Wildridings, praised the gritting team for their hard work.

He told the News: “The borough's gritters cover and vast network of roads and work through the night, sometimes in very difficult conditions, to keep us safe for the morning commute.

“They also grit a number of key paths across the town, to ensure that those of us on foot and bike are also prepared for the conditions.

“I've recently worked with the team to use residents feedback in Wildridings to be incorporated into the winter weather plan for this year and the team has not only been welcoming to feedback but have taken the time to reflect on challenges from prior years.

“It's important to also remember the team that operate the Bracknell Travel social media channels.

“They do a fantastic job of keeping everyone informed and providing advice to residents about keeping safe in icy conditions.”

Salt is spread pre-wetted with a brine solution so it stays on roads better and does not bounce off.

If enough salting solution is leftover on a gritting run one night, secondary routes are covered.

Salt is laid at a spread rate of between eight and 20 grammes per square metre depending on weather conditions.

It works by lowering the freezing point of water - but vehicles need to move over the road to make the gritting effective.

Gritting is only effective to around minus six degrees, which means even at lower temperatures water on roads still may freeze.

According to BFC, the response time to mobilising salt lorries around the borough at any time, night or day is one hour.

More than 2,000 tonnes of salt is stored by BFC’s team to use during the winter, which is replenished from salt mines in Cheshire.

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It takes all day for a truck to get to Cheshire and back but orders are placed in advance for restocking to avoid long waiting periods as demand increases.

Last year, Bracknell’s gritters went out to salt the borough’s roads 56 times and used more than 840 tonnes of salt.

So far this winter, gritters have been out and about fourteen times.

Residents can keep up to date with when and where Bracknell Forest’s gritters are covering the roads on social media and can contact the team at bracknell-forest.gov.uk.

If gritters can not get to necessary roads in the borough, salt bins are placed in 79 locations around Bracknell Forest.

Around 20 are in both Binfield and Bracknell, with 17 in Sandhurst and the remaining few in Warfield, Winkfield, Crowthorne and North Ascot.

Road users are allowed to help themselves to the salt to spread on highways and footpaths, but they are not intended to be used on private driveways or private paths.

BFC bosses have issued some advice to residents for the frosty weather ahead:

  • Be aware of the local forecast and road conditions by listening to the radio, watching TV etc.
  • Take precautions to grit or clear your own paths or driveways and clear snow from your car before driving
  • Get your own salt supplies in advance - these are often available from garden centres and supermarkets - but don't leave it too late
  • Be a good neighbour and check on the elderly and vulnerable who may need your support during snowy periods as they may not be able to get to the shops or collect medication