DEVON County Council’s highways team have inspected and re-filled more than 4,000 grit bins in readiness for winter.

Anything between £4 million and £5 million is spent a year on roads affected by bitter weather - whether it is salting roads, clearing snow or responding to flooding issues.

County Council cabinet member for highways management Cllr Stuart Hughes said: ‘Our highways teams are working their way around the county to replenish salt stocks in the grit bins and salt bags.

‘October sees the start of out winter service and despite enjoying the unseasonal dry, warm weather in recent weeks, we have had to start our preparations to ensure that we are ready.’

During a standard winter around 14,000 tonnes of salt is used on roads but in severe winter weather it can go up to almost 30,000 tonnes.

For travel advice from the council visit www.devon.gov.uk/winter_travel.