Road chiefs say they are well prepared to deal with freezing weather Ashford's roads this winter.

Kent County Council’s (KCC) Highways department has stocked up on salt, and has a fleet of seven gritters on standby at a depot on the Henwood Industrial Estate.

Last year’s lengthy winter saw more than 32,000 tonnes of salt spread on the counties busiest roads, covering a distance of over 2,300 miles.

KCC’s 60 strong fleet of gritters were called out more than 120 times, almost double the 10 year average of 66 times per winter.

Highways Manager for east Kent, Toby Howe, (pictured above) says that preparations have been made this year to tackle the onset of snow and icy weather.

He added: “We have restocked all our salt barns around the county with over 23,000 tonnes of salt.

“We have a new fleet of gritters that have been out to check all the roads and that they can get through. And we have a winter maintenance policy and farmers on standby to help out."