Gritters used in Bedfordshire to protect roads from heatwave

Gritters have been dispatched to protect roads from damage caused by the summer heat.

Bedfordshire is expected to be one of the hottest parts of the country, potentially reaching 34C (93.2F), as as a nation-wide heatwave reaches its fourth day.

In a Facebook post, Central Bedfordshire Council explained that heat can cause tarmac to soften making roads more susceptible to surface damage.

It was hoped gritting lorries could spread a fine layer of crushed stone that would protect tarmac and provide more grip for cars.

The authority wrote: “You might not expect to see gritters in summer, but it’s an important part of looking after our roads during extreme weather conditions.”

An amber alert has been issued for the East of England by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), due to the high temperatures.

This means the heat could cause conditions that affect demands on the NHS and potentially cause travel disruption.

The warning is due to remain in place until Wednesday morning.

During this period the council also said waste collection crews would work earlier in the morning to avoid the heat, it advised residents to leave their bins out the night before.