GRITTERS were out in force across Tamworth this week as temperatures plummeted to well below zero.

As The MET Office issued severe weather warnings for the West Midlands – anticipating some areas to drop as low as minus four degrees – Staffordshire County Council battled to keep the road network clear of ice and snow.

"The gritting crews do a sterling job at keeping Staffordshire's roads free from frost," said Councillor Mike Maryon, cabinet member for highways and transport.

"The team does everything it can to grit as many roads as fast as it can.

"Staffordshire has a solid track record in getting the job done – with 43 per cent of the road network salted in less than two hours from the alert call.

"That's much higher than the national average."

Two crews of 60 drivers have been on call around the clock since the start of the salting season, braced to brave the cold weather at a moment's notice.

A team of decision makers is keeping a very close eye on the weather forecasts so that they can draw up a plan of action to combat frosty conditions.

They monitor seven specific predictions every day, and make sure that the most effective treatment is put in place.

"However, despite their best efforts, hazardous black ice can form, creating a significant but invisible danger for drivers," added Cllr Maryon.

"As the weather takes a turn for the worse, I would urge motorists to avoid driving if at all possible and to only make trips that are absolutely essential."

Staffordshire has bought in 30,000 tonnes of grit for the second year running – equivalent to a 20-day supply running at full tilt.

The stockpile not only provides a significant buffer zone, but also means that the county is far less likely to have to pay excessive prices for salt shipped from abroad if the national supply runs low.

Meanwhile, Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership is urging drivers to take extra care on the roads during the icy conditions.

Inspector Ian Hancock, from Staffordshire Police's Road Policing Team, said: "Motorists should check weather forecasts before they set off and listen to local and national radio for travel information.

"They should carry a screen scraper and de-icer and clear mirrors and windows both inside and out before departing.

"We'd remind people never to leave their vehicle unattended on the drive or roadside while defrosting it."

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service's head of risk reduction, Glynn Luznyj, added: "We do unfortunately tend to see an increase in road traffic collisions during the winter months, many of which can be avoided if people ensured their vehicles were fit-for-purpose and followed simple safety advice."