Gritters are already spreading road salt in a sure sign of freezing temperatures tonight.

The road surface temperature is expected to fall below zero, leading to potentially treacherous driving conditions.

North Lincolnshire Council's fleet of gritters began salting roads at 1.30pm today.

Major routes are being given top priority to stop ice forming on them. These include roads with the heaviest traffic, routes to hospital, hills and bus routes.


North Lincolnshire Council's gritters are out on the roads ahead of a freezing night

Winter service officers are typically on standby 24 hours a day, seven days a week until the end of March to keep the road network safe and traffic moving.

Since November 2020, more than 3,000 tonnes of salt has been used to treat 38,000 kilometres of North Lincolnshire roads, helping to keep residents safe.

Since December 28 alone, the winter service team have treated nine high priority routes 14 times with more than 1,000 tonnes of salt.

Together with the national lockdown, drivers are advised to make only absolutely essential journeys.

They should allow extra time for journeys and drive to the changing weather conditions.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for ice in northern Lincolnshire, which will last from 4pm today until 10am on Thursday.

A spokesman said: "Icy surfaces leading to difficult travel conditions in places."

There are also warnings for the next few days as the region continues to experience Arctic temperatures which will make the roads more hazardous.

Yellow warnings also mean that the forecast could change or worsen, so people are advised to keep an eye on it.

The Met Office will issue additional warnings if the situation requires it.