Gritters out on test runs this week

You may see gritters out on the roads this week on test runs to prepare for winter

Rochdale’s gritting machines are hitting the roads this week to make sure that the drivers and vehicles are all set for winter.

It's part of a week of test runs to ensure that when the first cold snap of the season arrives the drivers know where to go and everything is working correctly.

As well as learning the near 200 miles of gritting routes the trial will enable new drivers to familiarise themselves with the areas and road surfaces.

The trial has been arranged by Rochdale Borough Council’s contractors Balfour Beatty.

Salt spreaders and ploughs will be checked, and the exercise is scheduled to start at around 5.30pm each night and should be complete by late evening.

Councillor Neil Emmott, cabinet member for the environment, said: “You may be surprised to see our gritters out while it’s quite mild but these test runs are really important to ensure everything runs effectively when it turns cold and wintery.”