SO FAR this winter, Torfaen council’s gritters have spread about 1,000 tonnes of salt and saved around £50,000.

A normal winter roughly uses 3,500 tonnes on about 70 full grit runs.

This year, the council has decided not to grit on many nights when temperatures were forecast to be drop below freezing.

This is a result of using local weather stations, allowing the council to monitor temperatures.

It means grit is put down when it is most effective.

A night of gritting costs about £2,500, and the council has already saved around £50,000 this year.

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