By Victoria Brenan

Last updated at 12:18, Tuesday, 11 December 2012

A mountain of grit is on standby to tackle Cumbria’s roads as the county braces itself for another Arctic spell.

The gritters have on-board computers and GPS mapping technology

A new fleet of 33 gritters – complete with on-board computers and GPS mapping technology with information on temperatures – are also in the wings.

The gritters, which have been out already this year, can be fitted with snow ploughs and two new four wheel drive trucks – with snow blowers – are on hand to tackle some of Cumbria’s highest roads.

The county council says they can’t grit every road so they concentrate on a “core network of priority routes”.

They cover 1,200 miles and will be gritted within the first few hours that ice is on its way.

“First priority routes are gritted within three hours and second priority within five,” a spokesman said.

“Minor roads are only gritted once these priority routes are done.”

Forecasters warned yesterday that wintry showers could return later this week. Some parts of the country will struggle to get above freezing on Wednesday and Thursday, with snow and freezing rain possible on high ground, according to Meteogroup.

Snow may make an appearance in Cumbria on Thursday and Friday, with temperatures plunging below zero during the day on Thursday.

First published at 12:13, Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk