The first of a new fleet of winter service vehicles for England's motorways and major A roads will be on the road in time for next winter following the award of a £45m four-year framework contract, the Highways Agency has announced today.

The new state-of-the-art vehicles will be capable of clearing snow and accurately spreading dry, treated and pre-wetted salt, giving the Highways Agency maximum flexibility for treating the motorways and major A roads in the face of the full range of winter conditions.

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The new vehicles will also be more efficient at treating the roads, helping the Highways Agency to meet its memorandum of understanding with the Environment Agency to reduce the use of salt as a winter treatment for the roads.

Martin Hobbs, the Agency's National Winter Service Delivery Manager, said: "This is a significant investment and will enable us to improve the level of service for road users, whilst at the same time reducing running costs and ensuring a cleaner environment with less waste and greener engines."

The framework contract will be made available to local authorities who wish to renew their fleets, demonstrating that 'Gershon' efficiency savings can be achieved through central and local government working together.

The vehicles will be delivered in a series of phases over the next four years, providing the Highways Agency with a completely new and upgraded fleet by 2011.

(GK/JM)