NORTH Yorkshire's highways team is geared up and ready to go to keep the country moving during the winter weather, according to the council.

North Yorkshire County Council say it spends between £6 million and £10 million each winter on gritting, depending on the severity of the weather.

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Last winter, its fleet of 80 gritters completed more than 10,000 runs, regularly treating more than half the 5,800 miles of road in one of England's largest and in places most remote networks.

The fleet, which is on call 24 hours a day, is complemented by more than 100 farm contractors, who can be called in to help to keep the traffic moving.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said: "We place the highest priority on helping traffic to keep moving safely in winter.

"It’s vital to residents and businesses. We grit as required to keep our roads open.

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"Our first priority is major routes that connect or go through the county’s towns, followed by routes that give access to smaller communities."

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