Taunton weather -snow turning to rain and ice

Watch those roads folks taunton area is still on amber warning but for ice rather than snow and the weather is being very patchy around the whole area,some have snow and some rain . the temperature is only just freezing tonight but that means rain over ice already on the ground in places so just be aware,especially on the roads.

The gritters have been working hard to keep the main roads safe but again those back roads have little if any salt and with no sun around there are some very nasty ice patches which can creep upon you.

A Twitter account managed by Somerset County Council reached its 500th follower yesterday.

It  has been posting the activities of the winter road maintenance service, and particularly the 23 gritters sent out in the worst of the weather to salt the roadsto @somersetgritter since the end of November.

Cabinet Member for Highways, Councillor Harvey Siggs, said: "The 500th follower is quite a landmark for Somerset Gritter, and obviously proving very popular judging by the comments posted about it.

"I was keen for everyone in Somerset to tackle winter together if we were tackling the sort of conditions that have blighted us the last three years. Somerset Gritter was one way that we could get information to the public quickly so that they knew not only what we were doing, but could also prepare themselves. Best of all, it's free.

"Fortunately, so far this winter we haven't been nearly as badly affected by the cold, and our highways staff have done a fabulous job making sure the roads are clear and that the public know what to expect because of the weather.

"This is the best prepared that we have ever been for winter with 2,000 more tonnes of salt in the depots than last year, villages supplied with bags of grit to use themselves, grit bins filled across the county, and the public kept up to date instantly by Twitter."

As well as being able to send information out, Twitter accounts also allow information to be sent in.

This has meant that Somerset Gritter's band of followers have been able to post comments and questions.

They have included:

• If you are in somerset and want to know if the roads are being gritted and why, follow @somersetgritter the official somerset gritter feed

• @somersetgritter Best thing to follow this winter

• Follow @somersetgritter and save yourself having to watch the weather. I know what to expect on my commute now, great job guys!

• Just seen @somersetgritter going up #PorlockHill - well done, the true heroes of winter

Stay warm and safe everyone.

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© Copyright John Fielding and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence