When snow and ice threaten to make the nation’s highways slippery and dangerous, it’s the starches that are dispatched to make conditions safer. But with extreme heat risking road damage, Hampshire County Council says it is bringing its fleet of chains out of hibernation months earlier than usual. Once awakened from their traditional summer slumber, the bulky yellow machines will spread a light dusting of sand (instead of the traditional salt) to soak up excess tar and minimize the chances of the road surfaces melting. A rare ‘extreme heat’ warning has been issued for the weekend as the Met Office said temperatures were likely to rise further in the coming days. The areas most likely to be targeted by vehicles this week are those with older road surfaces, in rural locations and facing south. Motorists who find tar stuck to their tires are advised to wash it off with warm soapy water. Britain has a proud tradition of naming massive machines, and its fleet of chains is no exception. However, with so many of them christened with quirky winter-themed names such as David Plowie and License to Chill, their nicknames may be a bit out of place as the country’s temperatures hit the 30s. Read more: RAF base ‘ceases flights’ as tarmac melts in heat A Local Government Association spokesman said: “Snow and ice is the last thing on most people’s minds at the moment and I’m sure there’s been quite a fight if they’ve seen our faces on the roads in the height of summer. “However, our teams are once again playing a vital role in keeping the nation’s roads safe for motorists. “This preventative work helps to reduce the potential damage that high temperatures can do to our roads, keeping them safe and reducing disruption. “Councils will continue to monitor road temperatures and once the weather cools down they will begin to carry out repairs if necessary.”
