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A trend towards accessing any service with greater convenience and immediacy on any device has proliferated in recent years. Here, Jason Petsch, CEO of OUTCO, explains how consumer-style technology is changing winter gritting in the UK.

The summer of 2022 will be remembered as being a hot and dry one, in which temperatures in the UK reached a record-breaking 40.3C at the peak of the heatwave. These hot temperatures are becoming more common and often trick us into presuming that the winter will be mild, without any need for winter gritting services. Not true.

The end of DST, which occurs on the last Sunday in October, is traditionally seen as the start of the gritting season in the UK. This is because the clocks go back one hour, which means that there is less daylight during the evening and morning commute, which in turn makes the temperature lower, the roads more slippery and increases the risk of accidents

Our climate is undoubtedly changing, 2022 was the warmest year since 1884, with recorded temperatures above 40°C for the first time. Scientists said that would have been “virtually impossible without climate change”

The UK has the some of the most notoriously unpredictable weather on the planet, but it is also one of the things that makes our local climate so unique. It is perfectly possible to experience all four seasons in one day, and we never know what the weather will be like from one minute to the next

While the temperatures may not be as low as previously experienced, it’s vital to stay prepared for the possibility of icy or snowy conditions and have your winter gritting and snow clearing requirements booked to cover you for every eventuality.

Your winter site preparations should be well underway by now. Here are our top three winter site preparation tips you can make to ensure your estate is safe and compliant for the season ahead.

Winter gritting and outdoor maintenance has changed dramatically in the era of extreme weather, necessitating more robust and innovative solutions to keep roads and car parks clear to prevent disruption.