Gritters in Warwickshire will not be affected by HGV driver shortages this winter, Warwickshire County Council has confirmed.

The county council has responded to media claims that driver shortages would impact gritting across the UK.

2021 will also see Warwickshire's five new gritters take to the streets for the first time following a competition last winter to name them.

WCC also plans to replace three more gritter lorries in the fleet with second hand vehicles, which will be selected based around the same criteria of lower emissions and reduced maintenance costs.

Cllr Wallace Redford, WCC's portfolio holder for transport and highways said: "Due to fantastic resilience planning within the service, its core business of clearing the county's roads will not be affected by the nationwide shortage of HGV drivers.

"The work of the service this season will be of continued importance keeping the roads clear of snow and ice for motorists and particularly Warwickshire's key and essential workers."

Last winter season, Warwickshire's gritting service:

- Carried out 78 gritting runs

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- Used approximately 16,600 Tonnes of salt