PROCEDURES to improve safety on dangerous winter roads have been stepped up - thanks to gritting trucks being installed with a satellite mapping system.

The Global Positioning System (GPS), means that the gritting vehicles will be monitored from a central computer at North Yorkshire County Council and at winter road contractors RCS.

Mike Masterman, head of environmental management at the council, said that the new system would mean that the council would be able to monitor exactly when roads had been gritted.

He said the system would mean the accurate record would be especially useful when dealing with insurance claims

Previously the driver's testimony had been the only proof that the work had been done.

He said: "We can tell where a vehicle is at any particular time and we can tell whether it's spreading salt or not.

"The council, in partnership with our contractors, will provide the best winter maintenance service which weather forecasting technology will allow us to do."

The new equipment will also mean that drivers of gritting trucks who get into difficulties on dangerous roads will also be able to press a panic button to call for help.

The GPS system has come as part of a new technology package to improve weather forecasting for winter roads.

The council has invested £60,000 in a web-based forecasting system in partnership with York City Council, the Met Office, and electronic meteorology company Vaisala. RCS has also invested in 22 new gritters for the coming winter season.

Coun John Fort, executive member for environmental services, said: "We are delighted to see the investment RCS are making in new winter maintenance vehicles to support what is already a service level much better than most of our neighbours."

Updated: 08:37 Monday, November 24, 2003