A British council is preparing to use "gritters", or machines that spread grit, to help stop roads melting as temperatures soar.
Hampshire County Council plans to use the machines to spread light dustings of sand that act “like a sponge to soak up excess bitumen".
Gritters are normally used to spread salt during the winter to stop ice forming on roads.
The areas most likely to be visited by the vehicles this week are those with older road surfaces, in rural locations and those facing south.
Residents are being urged to report any road problems on the council’s website.
Motorists who find tar stuck to their tyres are advised to wash it off with warm, soapy water.
An amber weather warning for extreme heat has been issued across much of the UK, including Hampshire.
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People gather for sunrise at Stonehenge, in Wiltshire, southern England. The summer solstice on June 21 is the longest day and shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Getty -
Thousands of people greet the summer solstice sunrise with cheers at Stonehenge. Getty Images -
A reveller watches sunrise at Stonehenge. EPA -
This was the first time members of the public have been allowed to attend the solstice in person since 2019. For the past two years, the sunrise was streamed online because of the pandemic. Getty Images -
A woman touches one of the stones at Stonehenge. The structures are thought to date back up to 6,000 years. Getty Images -
It is believed that solstices have been celebrated at Stonehenge for thousands of years. EPA -
Stonehenge has spiritual significance for many of those attending the solstice. AFP -
Sunrise over Stonehenge. AFP -
The solstice cricket match between teams from Sefton Park Cricket Club in Liverpool, north-west England. The first ball was bowled at sunrise, at 4:43am. AFP -
The sun rises above Glastonbury Tor in Glastonbury, Somerset, south-west England. The Tor is mentioned in Celtic mythology, including myths linked to King Arthur. Reuters -
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The summer solstice sun rises behind the Liver Building, in Liverpool, north-western England, silhouetting the mythical liver birds that are the symbol of the city. PA
“Snow and ice are the last thing on most people’s minds at the moment and I’m sure there’s been a lot of head-scratching if they’ve seen our gritters out on the roads in the height of summer," a spokesman for the Local Government Association said.
“However, our gritting teams are once again playing a vital role in keeping the country’s roads safe for motorists.
“This proactive work helps to reduce the potential damage high temperatures can inflict on our roads, so keeping them safe and limiting disruption.
“Councils will continue to monitor road temperatures and once the weather cools will begin carrying out repairs if needed.”
