WINTER GRITTERS fitted with snowploughs will be on 24-hour standby through the weekend and into next week with a cold snap on its way.

Gritters will be completing salting runs to keep main roads across Hampshire clear.

These "priority" routes carry the majority of the county's traffic and include A roads, some B roads, roads to hospitals and other key emergency hubs, large schools and colleges and major bus routes.

Meanwhile. around 135 farmers with snow ploughs will also be helping clear routes in rural areas, according to the county council.

Freezing temperatures, sleet and snow have been forecast from Saturday night.

Councillor Rob Humby said: “With widespread frost and ice forecast, our winter teams are setting out to treat the roads across the county, continuing through the cold snap. As well as the main roads, they will be salting routes to COVID testing and vaccination sites, and, ahead of Monday morning, treating Hampshire’s extra ‘community routes’ which are roads to health centres, community facilities and smaller schools.

The Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment at Hampshire County Council added: "The weather forecast is indicating a very cold few days ahead of us with ice and frost, so I would ask anyone making an essential journey or taking a walk to take extra care. If footways are icy, everyone can help in their neighbourhoods by using the salt bins provided for community use."

During the cold spell, Councillor Judith Grajewski, the council's Executive Member for Public Health, is urging people to take simple measures to stay warm, as well as keeping an eye on neighbours, relatives or people who are vulnerable to the cold.

Councillor Grajewski said, “This year, as we continue to spend more time at home, we all need to stay warm during the severe cold weather but it’s particularly important for the elderly, the very young and those with long-term health conditions for whom the cold carries particular risks. Winter weather increases the risk of falls, heart attack and respiratory diseases, for example, but there are plenty of steps you can take to keep well.”

Advice from the council includes to:

• Heat your home to at least 18C (65F)

• Keep moving indoors and avoid sitting still for longer than an hour

• Wear plenty of layers to keep warm

• Check on elderly relatives or neighbours daily and help with essential shopping so that they are not exposed to cold or icy conditions

• Stay connected safely by contacting a GP or pharmacist if you need to, keeping in touch with family and friends, or looking out for others who may need help;

• Heat your bedroom to 16C before going to bed and close the window

• Use sufficient bedding and blankets to stay warm at night

• Seek medical help if you think you need it and keep appointments with the GP or hospital – the NHS has made changes to make sure it is safe to be seen during coronavirus and phone services are also available;

• If you have a heart or respiratory problem, stay indoors

Anyone worried about an elderly neighbour or relative is urged to call Hampshire County Council’s adults’ health and care team on 0300 555 1386.