THEY may be a bit bleary-eyed and a little sleep deprived, but the dedicated team of Newport council's gritters are helping to keep the city moving.

They are working round the clock to make sure the major routes around the city are clear.

Winter maintenance workers Mark Williams and John Bridge were yesterday among the team of workers out on the seven gritters that serve the city.

Driver Mr Williams from Cwmbran is a charge hand, based at the Telford depot. He started work at 4am on Friday and didn’t finish his shift until 6am on Monday.

One of the problems the teams face is abandoned cars.

"People think we just don't go down that street, but we can't get through and everyone else suffers," said Mr Williams, 30.

Co-driver John Bridge, 55, from Newport added: "The reaction we get from members of the public when they see us on the road is 50/50. A lot of people give us a cheer and tell us well done and then you get some people ringing the council to say they can see us pulled up on the side of the road, but what they don't realise is we're working all hours and deserve a break."

Grit stocks dwindling

Torfaen council said yesterday it is gritting main routes only as its supplies have fallen below 50 per cent. It has 1,800 tonnes of salt left - just under half of its original stock of 4,000.

Monmouthshire council currently has 2,800 tonnes of its 7,500 tonnes capacity for grit.

It said that main roads are still being gritted, but it may cut down on the routes it grits if the bad weather continues.

Caerphilly council has around 2,100 tonnes of salt left while Newport council has a sufficient stock of salt and says it is gritting roads around the clock. The council said it was expecting a further delivery of grit on Boxing Day.