GRITTING teams in Worcestershire are already on standby, despite temperatures remaining comfortably above zero.

Worcestershire County Council's six highways depots have been stocked up with more than 14,000 tonnes of rock salt and gritting crews officially went on standby on October 15.

Jon Fraser, from Worcestershire County Council's highways department, said: "Although the teams have been on standby for about a week, we haven't been needed yet.

"We are ready to roll for another season as soon as it gets colder and we think, you'll start to feel it getting a little bit colder soon.

"Our teams do a fantastic job, going out at all hours to keep people moving. But gritting is not a miracle cure.

"Even if a road has been treated, it may not be safe to travel at normal speeds. So we ask people to take care and bear with us while our gritting teams are out and about."

The 30 gritting lorries are equipped with brine to mix with the salt when temperatures start to drop.

Snow ploughs are fitted to the gritters with a rubber blade to clear roads of snow while protecting manhole covers and cats eyes on the surface of the road.

Final checks are also being made on the county's 1,250 grit bins to ensure they are full and ready for use on public paths and highways.

For more information on gritting operations, including interactive maps of designated routes, visit worcestershire.gov.uk/gritting.