Councils to use GPS in bid to keep roads clear of snow and ice

More than 60 per cent will equip their staff with salt for street cleaners to spread on pavements and almost 85 per cent will provide local communities with grit bins.

Figures published last week revealed there were more than 34,000 “excess deaths” across England and Wales last winter, the second highest level in eight years.

The LGA is urging people to check on their neighbours and said council teams would monitor the wellbeing of elderly and vulnerable residents during the winter months.

Many gritters have already been deployed as temperatures tumbled in recent days.

The Met Office said a weather warning was in place until 10am on Saturday for Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland and Wales as well as the north of England, Yorkshire and the West Midlands.

Martin Tett, the LGA transport spokesman, said planning for winter was a key priority for councils.

“Local authorities have taken the steps necessary to protect their residents from floods, ice and wintry conditions,” he said.

“Councils are constantly monitoring the weather with up-to-the-minute reports to stay one step ahead.

“Depots are filled with 1.5 million tonnes of salt and gritters are ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice to make sure our local roads are clear and open to our residents where possible.”