THE mercury may still be pushing 18 °C, but gritters across the county are already on stand-by for sub-zero temperatures.

That's because for Hertfordshire's fleet of 70 gritters, the winter season officially started on Wednesday (October 1).

And from now until April 30 next year, highways officials at the county council will be closely monitoring temperatures across the county's roads.

They will be ready to send out the gritters when temperatures plummet, in a bid to ensure gritting is effective on icy roads.

And – according to executive member for environment, transport and growth Clr Paul Zukowskyj – they are "absolutely critical to keeping the road network moving".

According to data presented at the latest meeting of the county council's environment, transport and growth, on Wednesday (September 24), gritters were sent out onto Hertfordshire roads 61 times in the last winter season (2024/25).

And that was a 60% increase on the 38 times the gritters were sent out in 2023/24.

The gritting 'runs' are recorded as having covered nearly 150,000km last season – which is, says the panel report, "equivalent of travelling three-and-a-half times around the earth".

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And over a third of those 'runs' were made in just 13 days, during what is described as the "winter's most severe cold snap" at the start of January.

Meanwhile, the report also highlights the addition of the county's first electric gritter, which has been named 'Claudia Sprinklevan' following a social media competition.

"Over 400 residents took part in our social media competition to name our first electric gritter," says the report.

"The winner, 'Claudia Sprinklevan, has been out on all 61 runs this year and has proven to be as reliable as the rest of our gritters at a fraction of the carbon output.

"This vehicle is known as an Electric Quick-Change Body (EQCB) with a gritter, tipper and cage body, which means that out of the winter season, you will see Claudia out and about on general highways maintenance duties."

According to the report, more than 15,000 tonnes of salt were used on the county's roads in 2024/25, with almost 100 more salt bins added to the road network.

The latest meeting of the county council's environment, transport and growth cabinet panel was held on Wednesday (September 24) and can be viewed at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk