HAMPSHIRE County Council is confident it will keep the county moving ahead of severe snow warnings for tomorrow (Jan 18).

The council’s salt barns have enough stock to keep roads safe for 15 days while 3,000 salt bins are spread around the county for community use.

Around 100 farmers are also on standby with snow ploughs to help clear roads.

Cllr Mel Kendal, executive member for environment and transport, said: “The forecasts we receive indicate that it will snow in Hampshire from approximately 4am and that it is likely to be persistent, with five to ten centimetres settling across the county, although to a lesser extent in coastal areas.

“We will be salting the Priority 1 routes round the clock from late morning through to the start of the snow fall.

“In order to ensure teachers and pupils can get to school and people can still make essential appointments, such as with their doctor, we have already salted community routes this morning and will do so again in the early hours of tomorrow morning.”

Any school closures will appear online at hants.gov.uk/education/schoolclosures.

The council is advising motorists to drive safely, leave extra time for journeys and check information on roads before leaving.

The council’s emergency planning unit also has more than 100 volunteer 4x4 vehicle drivers trained by Hampshire Fire and Rescue ready to get people to hospitals, deliver meals or keep services running.

Residents are also urged to check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours, particularly in rural communities.

Anyone concerned about a neighbour should call the council on 0845 603 5630.