HIGHWAYS Agency bosses have assured motorists that they are prepared for severe winter weather.

The agency has today (Thursday, November 20) unveiled a new powerful water pump and a mountain of salt as it bids to keep the North-East’s roads clear.

Based at Bradbury, near to Sedgefield, in County Durham, the pump can clear 9,000 litres of water a minute from flooded roads.

The agency’s first pump of its kind, it can be deployed across the North-East from Berwick, in Northumberland, to Dishforth, in North Yorkshire, and across to Cumbria.

The agency has stockpiled 12,500 tonnes of salt spread across its depots at Bradbury, Barton, near Darlington and Carrville, near Durham, to clear icy roads.

Nick Adshead, an agency delivery manager, said: “The pump can be deployed with a kilometre of hose laid and be ready to pump within 30 minutes, tackling flooding and keeping disruption to an absolute minimum.

“It has been purchased to deal with large flooding events such as those experienced across the North-East in 2012. It will greatly increase the agency’s resilience to future flood events.

“We have three winter depots in the region and we also share a depot with Northumberland County Council, in Alnwick, from which 54 winter operatives can work round the clock.”

The agency has 21 salt spreading vehicles and three snow blowers to call on.

Peter Hancock, a Highways Agency network manager, said: “We started doing a lot of preparation for the winter during the summer months.

“We look to be ready to operate between October and April. We have 12,500 tonnes of salt and we can get top ups when they are needed.”

North Yorkshire County Council has also stockpiled 55,000 tonnes of salt to help it keep clear 2,750 miles of road.

The council has 12 snowblowers and 89 gritters plus 130 farmers and contractors help out.