5 November 2012 Last updated at 13:25 ET

Essex County Council gritter lorries get GPS tracking

Essex County Council has stockpiled of 14,000 tonnes of salt ready for when temperatures drop

Gritting lorries in Essex have been fitted with GPS devices so the public can check which routes have been salted.

Essex County Council said the option of tracking its gritting vehicles would come at no extra cost to the public.

The council, which has stockpiled 14,000 tonnes of salt, said it hoped the GPS service would help people plan their journeys.

It is part of a council partnership with highways firm Ringway Jacobs.

Derrick Louis, cabinet member for roads at the Conservative-led council, said: "We are absolutely ready for winter.

"If residents go on to our website they will be able to see where the gritters have been and where we are planning to send them.

"They will be able to see what is happening almost in real time."