An action plan to keep Surrey moving in severe winter weather has been approved.

More than £2.5m is being spent on a programme that includes using more than 40 specialist vehicles, hi-tech monitoring equipment, weather stations and 16,000 tonnes of grit to prepare for the winter ahead.

At a meeting of Surrey County Council's Cabinet, the Winter Service Plan was given the green light. Highlights include:

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• Providing 39 gritters fitted with location trackers and salt spreading monitors

• Installing six weather stations providing real-time updates on air and road temperature, rainfall and salt and ice levels

• Preparing more than 1,800 roadside salt bins across Surrey by October

• Extending a trial of alternative vehicles like quad bikes in the winter clear-up

• Having a standby team of 51 farmers to give extra support in less accessible areas.

In a separate decision, the council has also put aside £5m extra into repairing the 200 roads in most need of fixing from cold weather damage.

(CD/MH)