GRITTERS are expected to be rolled out across the region in the early hours to help motorists cope with freezing temperatures.

GRITTERS are expected to be rolled out across the region in the early hours to help motorists cope with freezing temperatures.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk County Council said tonight that all A and B (priority 1) roads and routes to main hospitals and fire stations would be treated.

She said highways teams had been out since 2.30pm this afternoon and would be out again from midnight in Ipswich and from 4.30am in the rest of the county.

However she warned that because of a nationwide shortage of salt no other roads would be treated - as directed by Central Government.

Guy McGregor, portfolio holder for roads, transport and planning said: “Suffolk's highway teams have been working day and night to grit the roads across the county.

“As everyone knows we have had an exceptional spell of severe weather. The highway teams have risen to the challenge and I take this opportunity expressing my sincere thanks to them all.

“Our suppliers of salt are also under pressure. Just as Suffolk County Council prioritises the roads our supplier is having to prioritise customers and supplies are now being diverted to local authorities whose stocks are completely exhausted.

“With this in mind we need to make sure we use the salt we have in the most effective and efficient way. We have stocks of salt at present, but we need to be prudent to ensure that we are able to continue to grit the priority routes.

“We will continue to fill grit bins in the county on request from parish councils so local people can treat local trouble spots on minor roads, which otherwise would not be treated.

“We feel it is important that everyone has a clear expectation of which roads will be gritted and appreciate why we are taking these measures.

“I would also like to remind everyone who is out and about in the bad weather to take care, salting and snow clearing cannot guarantee that a surface is ice free, road users should therefore take reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of themselves and others when freezing conditions occur.”