Roads in Bromley have been gritted after temperatures hovered around freezing.

Crews made their first winter appearance in the early hours today and treated around 55 miles of roads spanning from Biggin Hill to Chelsfield.

Councillor William Huntington-Thresher, executive councillor for environment, said: “Many people aren’t aware that crews have been out to grit as it’s usually done when most people are still asleep. We used nearly four tonnes of salt to grit the main routes in the south of the borough last night.

“This precautionary salt was timed for after the rain and sleet showers which would have washed the salt away and also timed for when the road temperature was predicted to be at its lowest point.

“Circumstances are beyond our control but our aim is to keep traffic moving when bad weather is predicted, so long before it’s here, we’re making preparations to respond.”

Areas around main bus routes and emergency centres take priority in the 280 miles of Bromley’s 500 miles of roads which are salted ever winter.