With temperatures set to drop, Cornwall Council’s fleet of 28 gritter trucks, operated by Cormac and named by the public, are on standby and ready to roll.
Last year the trucks treated around 39,000 miles of Cornish roads between November and March, the equivalent of travelling one and a half times around the Earth.
It was also the first time the trucks bore the names chosen for them by the public.
Kernow-bys-Grittin, which covers the Callington and Gunnislake area covered the widest area last year, treating 2,053 miles of roads alone, while Crimp my Ride, which covers the Bude area, used the most salt.
Salting reduces the freezing point of water. This helps to prevent ice forming and reduces the potential for vehicles to skid or be involved in more serious road accidents.
The Cormac crews are on 24-hour standby - including on Christmas day - ready to take to the roads in response to constantly monitored temperatures, information from 22 road sensors and expert weather forecasts.
This information is used to decide whether to spread salt on roads before the expected time of freezing. Sometimes the weather can be difficult to predict so crews are also ready to respond to emergency situations at very short notice.
It takes around three hours to treat each of the Council’s 25 salting routes which cover around 1,490 km (925 miles) of the road network and include the most heavily used A and B roads in Cornwall. Between them, these roads carry around 80 percent of daily traffic. Cormac also salt the roads to key sites such as hospitals, minor injury units, ambulance and fire stations, bus and railway stations and secondary schools.
Cornwall’s main trunk roads – the A30 to Penzance and the A38 - are the responsibility of National Highways (formerly Highways England) which manages its own winter service.
While Cormac and the Council will be doing everything it can to keep key roads clear during periods of snow and freezing weather, we can all do our bit by clearing ice outside our homes, stocking up on grit for drives and paths, and keeping an eye on elderly neighbours.
Councillor Dan Rogerson, portfolio holder for transport, said: “We’re as ready as we can be for whatever winter might throw at us this year.
“Keeping Cornwall moving whatever the weather is essential for our economy, and we will be ready for action from now until the start of spring.
“I would also urge drivers to make sure they play their part by checking their vehicles before travelling and keeping an eye on the weather forecast.
“If conditions are poor, and journeys are not essential, consider waiting until the weather gets better – this should improve journeys, and give our gritters a chance to treat the roads.”
ENDS
Posted 17 November, 2025