Brighton & Hove City Council Deploys New Hybrid Gritters for Winter Season

Three novel hybrid gritting vehicles are prepared for deployment on the roadways of Brighton and Hove during the upcoming winter season. According to Brighton & Hove City Council, these hybrid vehicles navigate their designated routes with the aid of an advanced mapping system. Their capability includes automatically dispensing grit, adjusting the amount based on road width and specific requirements. The council’s grit usage in 2023 totaled 250 tonnes. For 2024, an inventory of 350 tonnes of grit is prepared, supplemented by an additional 1,000 tonnes held in reserve. Gritting teams employed by the council maintain 24-hour availability from November through April, servicing 156 miles (251km) of road within and surrounding the city, as stated by the council. Priority is given to essential routes, including bus lanes and thoroughfares adjacent to hospitals. The council further noted that gritting does not assure roads will be entirely clear of ice and snow, as its effectiveness depends on vehicular traffic to incorporate the grit into surface water, thereby inhibiting freezing. Councillor Trevor Muten commented: “We’re using the latest technology to monitor road temperatures, so we can plan ahead for cold snaps and freezing conditions.“Unfortunately, no matter how much we grit, it can’t guarantee a road is free of ice, which is why it’s important people continue to take care and drive to the conditions.”