MOTORISTS are being asked to take particular care over the days ahead as winter tightens its grip on the county’s roads.

Gritting lorries were in action last night and in the early hours of the morning, and will be back on the road this evening and from 3am tomorrow.

Crews will remain on call, but even well-gritted roads can quickly become difficult in heavy or drifting snow and salt becomes ineffective at -8C.

Norfolk County Council Cabinet member for travel and transport Graham Plant said: “There has been no reduction in the priority network of roads we treat and our gritting crews will be out at all hours.

“Every full run uses over 285 tonnes of treated salt and costs well over �30,000, but even so there is a limit to what can be achieved.

“Over the next few days we would ask drivers to take particular care. Take note of forecasts and the weather outside your window. If you can, leave a journey until later in the day when roads may have improved, but be aware that conditions can change very quickly in snow.

“Shopping locally may be a better bet than travelling to the supermarket - and remember that there is nothing wrong with taking sensible steps to clear snow from outside your property.

“If you sweep away snow and use kitchen salt or sand to make paths and steps safer you are not making yourself automatically liable if anyone then slips or falls. It’s a myth, and no-one should be deterred from community-spirited action that is likely to make life easier.”

Treating the 1,900 mile priority network takes the gritter fleet about three hours, but drivers can make use one of the 800 roadside grit bins.

Most bins are provided by town or parish councils, with some provided by the county council on main roads at known hazard-spots. For more information visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/gritting.