Kent County Council highways says Tonbridge roads will be ready for this year's winter weather

Kent County Council's highways team says it is prepared for the worst winter weather this year.

It claims its 60-strong fleet of gritting lorries will be ready to roll as soon as icy conditions threaten - and has stockpiled 20,000 tonnes of salt in six depots across the county.

KCC Highways Cabinet member for highways Bryan Sweetland said: "The crews are now out on dry runs of the salting routes as part of the final preparations, so we're ready to go when it starts to freeze.

"When the temperature falls, we will frequently put salt down twice overnight – first before the road temperature reaches zero and then again before the morning rush hour.

"If snow hits, we also have a team of more than 150 farmers we have supplied with snowploughs, mobilised to clear agreed rural routes.

"In the town centres, we have teamed up with district councils to make sure key pedestrian areas are cleared and treated.

"In addition, there are more than 2,000 salt bins across the county for locals to treat roads – and pavements – that are not on our salting routes."

One tonne salt bags have also been distributed to more than 100 parishes across the county.

Details of salting routes can be found at www.kent.gov.uk/winter