Somerset readies gritters and emergency shelter for winter cold snap

Summarised from 4 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 13 Nov, 12:28 · Archive

Somerset Council has activated winter gritting with 23 gritters on standby and emergency shelter for rough sleepers as temperatures drop below freezing.

Somerset Council has deployed 23 gritters and activated its Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP) as temperatures across the county drop below freezing. Gritters have already been out for the first time this autumn after temperatures fell below 3°C in some parts overnight.

Road temperatures are being checked daily to identify when gritting is needed. Crews are typically dispatched when road temperatures are expected to fall below 1°C and frost or ice is likely to form. The council prioritises main routes and roads connecting larger communities and providing access to emergency services. Gritting involves spreading treated rock salt on roads to help prevent the build-up of ice and snow. Gritters can be fitted with snowploughs, and farm contractors are also on standby to help clear roads if snow arrives.

Last winter, Somerset's crews completed 1,314 gritting runs over 60 days, covering 211,101 kilometres and using 5,249 tonnes of salt. Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council's lead member for transport and waste services, said crews work late at night and early in the morning. He urged drivers to take extra care even when roads have been gritted, as ice can still form, particularly after heavy rain or when temperatures are very low.

The council has also activated SWEP, which provides emergency accommodation for rough sleepers until Monday, 16 November. The scheme operates when temperatures are forecast to fall to 0°C or below and aims to ensure nobody dies on the streets because of severe weather. Council outreach teams are working across Somerset to contact people sleeping rough and encourage them to take up offers of accommodation. Support workers will continue to provide assistance to anyone who chooses to remain sleeping rough while SWEP is active.

How it is being reported

• Council activates emergency weather provision amid low temperaturesSomerset Council has activated its Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP) as temperatures drop across the countySomerset County Gazette · 13 Nov, 12:00
• Council activates emergency weather provision amid low temperaturesSomerset Council has activated its Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP) as temperatures drop across the countyBridgwater Mercury · 13 Nov, 12:00
• Somerset readies 23 gritters ahead of first cold snap of winterSomerset Council has 23 gritters on standby as temperatures drop, with crews ready to treat roads when frost and ice are forecastBridgwater Mercury · 13 Nov, 05:00
• Somerset readies 23 gritters ahead of first cold snap of winterSomerset Council has 23 gritters on standby as temperatures drop, with crews ready to treat roads when frost and ice are forecastSomerset County Gazette · 13 Nov, 05:00
• Somerset Council puts 23 gritters on standby for winterSomerset Council has 23 gritters on standby as temperatures drop, with crews ready to treat roads when frost and ice are forecast.Bridgwater Mercury · 13 Nov, 05:00
• Gritters out for the first time this autumnRoad are gritted for the first time across Somerset as temperatures drop to freezing.BBC Somerset · 12 Nov, 15:32
• Gritters on standby as Somerset temperatures set to plummet below freezingLast winter, crews carried out 1,314 gritting runs across 60 days, travelling 211,101 kilometres across SomersetSomersetLive · 12 Nov, 11:16

In this story: Somerset Council · Somerset · Kier Transportation Ltd · Met Office · Richard Wilkins · StreetLink

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log