Gritters, patrols and 24/7 monitoring: National Highways gears up to help motorists move safely this winter
As winter takes hold and temperatures drop, National Highways is preparing a nationwide operation to help keep England’s motorways and major A-roads safe - whatever the weather.
Last winter alone, National Highways’ fleet of 530 gritters covered more than 1.5 million miles, the equivalent of driving around the Earth over 60 times.
Each gritter can weigh anything from 18 - 26 tonnes fully loaded, with the largest able to carry 11 tonnes of rock salt. In total, teams carried out more than 23,000 gritting runs during the winter to keep traffic flowing safely.
Darren Clark, Severe Weather Resilience Adviser at National Highways, said:
“Our work through the colder months is about more than just keeping traffic moving - it’s about keeping the country connected. Our network of 4,500 miles of motorways and A roads are the backbone of the nation’s supply chains, ensuring life-saving medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, fuel, chemicals, and food reach every corner of England, even in severe weather. For example, hospital oxygen supplies often travel from Scotland via the M6 and A1, so it’s vital these routes remain open to keep critical deliveries moving.
“This preparation is a huge undertaking and begins months in advance to keep commuters moving, help millions visit friends and family, and help carry two-thirds of all freight that supports trade and investment across the UK. And none of that stops in winter.”
This year, frontline teams could use more than 250,000 tonnes of salt throughout the winter period to treat England’s motorways and major A-roads as needed. Over the past five years, an average of 126,500 tonnes has been spread, with the winter of 2020–21 peaking at 196,000 tonnes.
More than 120 salt depots are stocked and ready, supported by a sophisticated network of over 200 weather monitoring stations that feed real-time data into control centres across England. Last winter, National Highways teams reviewed 2,500 weather forecasts, turning those insights into over 900 road treatment plans being put into action.
Just as our teams and equipment are ready for whatever winter brings, drivers are being urged to check their vehicles, plan their journeys and make sensible choices when conditions turn challenging. Between December 2024 and February 2025, there were 67,768 recorded breakdowns, highlighting the importance of preparation, such as checking your vehicle and the weather forecast, during the colder months.
As winter begins and road conditions become more unpredictable, National Highways is launching its annual winter T.R.I.P. campaign to encourage drivers to prepare for journeys properly, as colder weather sets in and road conditions become more challenging with the likes of snow, ice, and rain.
Colin Stevenson, Road Safety Information Lead at National Highways, added: “Winter can throw all sorts at us, but together we can help to make journeys safe and smooth as possible Our dedicated teams will be out day and night to keep our roads clear and reliable - and we’re reminding every driver to do their bit by following our T.R.I.P. advice and be prepared for winter, not caught out by it. Simple steps like checking your vehicle, packing a winter emergency kit can all help drivers to be safe when faced with snow, ice, or heavy rain.”
The acronym T.R.I.P. promotes four simple steps to prepare drivers using motorways and major A roads this winter:
- Top-up: Fuel, oil, and screen wash
- Rest: Plan regular stops every two hours to avoid driver fatigue
- Inspect: Check tyre pressure and tread
- Prepare: Have a plan for severe weather conditions
Winter conditions can be extreme. Last winter, the A66 Old Spittal Farm recorded the lowest road surface temperature at -9.2C on 11 January 2025, while the national average low dipped to -4.8C the night before. Despite freezing conditions and five named storms over the 2024-25 winter period, the network remained open and resilient thanks to the coordinated response.
Notes to Editors
The T.R.I.P. campaign is part of National Highways’ ongoing commitment to safer roads, aiming to keep traffic moving smoothly and minimise weather-related incidents.
Visit the National Highways website for more information on staying safe on the roads this winter.
Breakdown figures taken from National Highways ControlWorks data and refers to breakdowns on motorways and A-roads covered by National Highways.
About National Highways
- National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
- View our press releases online at https://nationalhighways.co.uk/press/
- Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via its website (https://trafficengland.com), local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available at https://nationalhighways.co.uk/about-us/social-media-use/.
- For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option below:
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