REDDITCH roads were gritted for the first time last Wednesday night as temperatures fell below freezing.

The move marked the start of a long haul for the winter maintenance teams which cover three main routes across the town.

Last year, gritters were called out 37 times during winter in an attempt to prevent any traffic accidents in freezing weather.

Weather predictions are presented in graph form and decisions are made throughout the day on whether or not the roads need to be gritted.

When the weather is changeable, inspectors go out and check the roads during the day and into the night and gritters are put on standby.

Three grit machines cover Redditch and salt is taken from Lye Depot in Alvechurch.