West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has secured a commitment from the county council to extend gritting coverage to protect drivers forced onto narrow country lanes as a result of M50 bridge repair works. As a cold snap takes hold across the county, Worcestershire County Council confirmed it will be gritting affected minor roads around the closed A438 between Bushley and Berrow. Harriett contacted the council’s transport team warning them that drivers are taking a variety of routes to cut short the formal 24 mile diversion which is in place around the road closure. Worcestershire County Council has written to Harriett saying that it is working with its colleagues in Gloucestershire to make sure as many minor roads as possible are gritted when weather conditions worsen. Harriett commented: “I am grateful for the swift response of the county council to my request and I am pleased that they have agreed to take appropriate steps. “Although the main roads, which form the formal diversion route, are gritted as standard, some people are choosing to veer off onto minor roads to shorten their journey. “The challenge of keeping roads gritted is enormous but I know local people will be pleased the council has listened to my concerns and taken action. “I hope that drivers take extra care across all of our county roads during the winter and always be prepared when temperatures dip below zero.”