Cheshire East Council's Cabinet member for environmental services has praised all the authority's staff who have been working hard during the current adverse weather conditions.
Councillor Rod Menlove said: "I would like to put on record my thanks and gratitude to all Cheshire East Council staff who have been working to keep our roads and footways passable.
"The major routes are covered by the gritter-drivers who are frequently working from 2am. Town centre gritting becomes the responsibility of our Streetscape team – normally seen keeping our streets and green spaces clean. The success of all of them is all the more impressive in the light of the continuous sub-zero temperatures.
"This successful performance has been based not only on the efforts of the staff but also on the detailed planning that has taken place over the summer. One small example is the training of extra gritter-drivers. Another example is the purchase of a new supply of one-tonne bags of grit some of which have already been placed for use on rural roads.
"There was a lot to learn from last winter and the plans put in place have been largely successful this winter. As a result, Cheshire East residents are receiving a better winter service than some in neighbouring authorities.
"It has been a tremendous achievement over these past few weeks and if the weather forecasts are right, then the effort will need to be maintained over the weeks to come. I have no doubt that our staff will be up to the task."
All major routes are open today, Wednesday December 22nd, following snow overnight across parts of Cheshire East.
All gritting routes were salted overnight and this will be repeated into this evening as is necessary. Officers from the highways service were be sent into town centres this morning to clear the snow and salt footways.
Cheshire East Council has sufficient salt stocks which are closely monitored and replenished as necessary. The authority is urging drivers and pedestrians to take extra care when making a journey.
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