Why it matters: The new fleet represents a significant investment in both road safety and environmental protection for Suffolk residents.
The big picture: Last winter, Suffolk's gritting teams:
Used 7,822 tonnes of salt
Treated nearly 200,000km of roads
Covered enough distance to circle the Earth five times
Key details:
The fleet uses hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel, reducing CO2 emissions by 90%
Two spare vehicles are available if needed
The council currently has 21,000 tonnes of salt stockpiled
Going deeper: The gritting operation covers two priority levels:
Priority 1: 1,259 miles including A and B roads, routes to hospitals, fire stations and rail stations
Priority 2: 843 miles covering regular bus routes, village access roads and school routes
What they're saying: Suffolk residents are being asked to park considerately to allow gritters access. "If we can't fit, we can't grit," the council warns.
The bottom line: While roads are treated, drivers are reminded they may not be completely risk-free and should always drive according to conditions.
