UK weather forecast: Gritters deployed to stop roads melting with heatwave set to last two more weeks

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Sophie Williams29 June 2018

Gritters are being sent out on to British roads to prevent them from melting as the heatwave looks set to continue for another two weeks.

The machines are normally deployed during cold snaps to stop road surfaces from freezing, but a number of councils are using the vehicles to spread crushed rock dust as temperatures soar.

Some roads have become so hot that they have started to melt and stick to tyres.

A spokesman for the Local Government Association said: "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.

Drivers have been greeted by the unusual sight of gritters on roads during a heatwave
PA

"However, our gritting teams are once again playing a vital role in keeping the country's roads safe for motorists.

"This proactive work helps reduce the potential damage high temperatures can inflict on our roads, so keeping them safe and limiting disruption.

Gritters are normally used to stop roads from freezing over in winter
PA

"Councils will continue to monitor road temperatures and once the weather cools will begin carrying out repairs if needed."

It comes as forecasters claimed the current heatwave could continue for another two weeks.

A man dives into the water at Warleigh Weir, near Bath
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In London the temperature was predicted to rise to 29C today and similar conditions are predicted for the weekend.

Meteorologist Martin Bowles said: “The average for London this time of year is 22°C, so we are well above average.”

Meanwhile, firefighters in the Peak District were still battling the blaze on Saddleworth Moor . Tony Hunter, assistant chief fire officer of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), said there had been a “significant effect” on the fire in the past 24 hours.

A fresh blaze — near Rivington in Lancashire — broke out yesterday. Fire engines from Lancashire Fire and Rescue spent the night preventing the fire spreading further.

National Weather Forecast, Friday June 19 Afternoon

Graeme Madge, a spokesperson at the Met Office told the Standard: “The good weather is to continue until the middle of next week.

"From Monday to Thursday we’ve seen record breaking temperatures however that run is to come to an end next week due to the movement of high pressure.

“It will still be above 30 in some parts but not near the 32C recorded in Wales yesterday.”

In the capital this weekend temperatures are expected to hit around 28C before coming back up to 30C on Monday.

Conditions in London will be fair with blue skies however the humidity is expected to increase making the air “muggy” according to the Met Office.

Sunbathers relax in Green Park in London
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Aside from the capital, the fine weather is expected to be spread across the UK.

Public Health England has issued a warning saying the extreme heat may pose a risk to the most vulnerable.

The rising temperatures have come with warnings to be careful near water and in the countryside, where fire crews have been tackling wildfires.

Firefighters tackle the wildfire on Saddleworth Moor
PA

The RSPCA called on pet owners to keep a close eye on their animals in the heat after receiving 625 calls about animals in hot environments between June 11 and 24 - the majority about dogs in hot cars.

Customers in some areas have been warned to take simple steps to help conserve water.

A dog cools off on Portobello Beach in Scotland
PA

People can put away garden sprinklers, take short showers instead of baths, and avoid using hoses to clean cars or water the plants in order to reduce demand.

Severn Water has set up bottled water collection points after some parts of Staffordshire and Shropshire saw supplies temporarily interrupted as a result of high demand.

Customers in some parts of the Home Counties have also seen interruptions to supply or low pressure as a result of soaring demand in peak periods, while people served by Southern Water have been warned they may experience low pressure overnight as the network is refilled amid "exceptionally high water demand".