Worse their is the health and safety councils who love to throw the stuff around, saying that you should be OK this time of year.
The only time one used to see a gritter out on the roads was if there was a threat of heavy snow.
Despite massive cutbacks in budgets the criteria now is if its down to zero or even a slight possibility they spread the horrible stuff about. Last year here in Gloucestershire they started before the end of October, unbelievable! Hope you are lucky and they don't go out before your trip.
Regrettably I am away (in South Wales!) on the 14th otherwise I would have loved to have joined you all.
