Satellites help keep roads clear

The Highways Agency grits nearly 800 miles of roads in the region

Satellite communication equipment will be helping keep Yorkshire's motorways and trunk roads clear of snow and ice this winter.

Global positioning satellite systems have been fitted to the 53 gritters operated by the Highways Agency in the region.

The system can tell managers at the gritting base at Tingley near Leeds where the trucks are and how much salt is being spread by each gritting crew.

The Highways Agency, which is responsible for gritting 784 miles of main routes across the Yorkshire and Humber region, has also spent £1m buying 13 new gritting lorries.

In another innovation this winter, webcams have been set up at strategic locations to provide controllers with live images of the weather as well as data which already comes from electronic sensors.

Brian Dobson from the Highways Agency said: "Keeping the region's roads safe and open is our top priority in winter and this year we have made a substantial investment in new technology to help us achieve that aim.

"The Highways Agency is responsible for a number of strategic routes across the region including long stretches of the M1 and M62 and we will be working hard to ensure the safety of these routes."