WITH heavy snowfall expected to hit Essex this afternoon, Essex County Council is urging residents to travel with caution.

A fleet of 60 gritting lorries will be treating roads across the county from midday today, Monday, and further runs will take place as needed.

Gritters were out from 4pm yesterday, Sunday, and again from 3am this morning treating roads ahead of Monday's rush hour.

County councillor Derrick Louis, cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: "I am urging all residents to travel carefully today with the heavy snowfall we are currently expecting.

"Our gritters will be out across the county but please still take extra caution, particularly on pavements and side roads."

The gritting lorries can be tracked live by visiting www.essex.gov.uk/highways.

Residents can also receive the latest gritting updates by following @Essex_Travel on Twitter.

Essex Highways is required to focus resources on keeping major roads clear, so it operates a specified salting network. This includes all A and B roads, access routes for emergency services, rural link roads and major public transport routes.

To check which routes will be treated and for more information about winter safety tips, visit www.essex.gov.uk/highways