Temperatures have plummeted across the country after a warm Christmas period and an amber cold health alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency.
The gritting comes as the council also released advice on how to cope with the cold weather, warning people to keep moving and to heat their homes cost-effectively.
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The council wrote on Facebook: “Our gritter drivers are geared up and ready to roll! This afternoon, they’ll be hitting the main routes across Hampshire as road surface temperatures drop below zero.
“There’s a yellow weather warning in place from the Met Office, which has forecast freezing conditions with a chance of snow and ice from midday on Saturday, January 4 until 09.00 on Monday, January 6 2025.
“Our fleet of gritters will be on standby around the clock to keep Hampshire’s main roads salted.”
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The council continued: “Whether you’re driving, walking, cycling, or using public transport, keep an eye on the weather conditions before you make a journey.
“Remember, there are thousands of blue or yellow salt bins across Hampshire for everyone’s use on public roads and footways.
“These are especially useful for connecting main roads to smaller access roads and pavements. A little goes a long way – just one tablespoon of salt can treat one square metre of road or paved area.”
According to the UKHSA, the amber cold health alert will be in place from Thursday, January 2 until midday on Wednesday, January 8.
UKHSA Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection Dr Agostinho Sousa said: “The forecasted temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions and it is, therefore, vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.
“These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.”