News

Our winter service on the M25 is a certainly well underway. Running from October-April, it’s a critical period on the network; but the preparation is a year-long effort.

Every season we predict to experience particularly harsh conditions and ensure we are well prepared. So far, this season has been mild, but with the forecast this week dramatically dropping in temperature we will now kick off actioning treatments. Daily weather forecasts are delivered every 6 hours, and a decision is made by 4pm as to whether our team will distribute salt or carry out our other protective measures.

To be able to be prepared, we have a dedicated team who are on standby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This includes 230 trained drivers, keeping the network safe and moving.

We also have over 22,000 tonnes of salt stored in our eight depots, strategically located around the network. Salt barn inspections have taken place at all these sites and the moisture content of the salt has been checked to ensure that it complies with the British Standards target specification of less than four percent moisture.

In total we have 34 dedicated gritters and Unimog gritters with snow blower attachments to cover 27 predefined routes as well as two additional strategic spares. Additionally, we are proud to maintain and operate 14 Telehandler vehicles, four extra effort ploughing vehicles, two snow blowers and 40 de-mountable ploughs.

This robust winter service operation ensures we are fully equipped to respond swiftly and effectively to any adverse weather conditions. With our dedicated team, vehicles, technology and planning all working together, we remain committed to keeping the M25 safe, resilient and moving – in all weathers.