DRIVERS in the North East can look forward to well-treated roads this winter thanks to a newly-opened facility.

A 3,500-ton capacity salt barn was opened yesterday at the Highway Agency's Carville Depot, in Durham, which will be in the front line of its work to keep trunk roads open throughout bad weather conditions.

The agency is also working more closely with the Met Office to alert gritting and ploughing crews.

John Wainwright, winter services manager for the agency, said: "Carville is a key depot in our fight to keep the trunk roads open as it serves some of the most exposed sections of the A1 and A66 in County Durham.

"Our crews have been out on patrol and treating the roads to help keep them open since October, but the end of December, January and February are often the hardest months we face to keep traffic flowing.''

Mr Wainwright said that drivers also had a part to play in keeping roads open.

"The Highways Agency, in conjunction with the Met Office, has published a new Winter Driving leaflet, which provides tips for safer driving in bad weather. One of the most important considerations that drivers need to bear in mind is whether or not their journey is really necessary.

"Abandoned vehicles are one of the biggest problems faced by our gritting crews," said Mr Wainwright.