A new ultra sonic weather station to help accurately forecast freezing conditions has gone live.

The first of its type in the UK, the new weather station, based on the B1256 near Great Dunmow, will help highways engineers keep the county’s roads safe and passable.

The location was chosen because it is open to the elements, on higher ground and in a cold spot.

Cllr Eddie Johnson, Essex County Council’s cabinet member for highways maintenance and small schemes, said: “The weather can impact on our highways at any time of the year and as a result of many different situations, such as snow and ice, heavy rain, fog and high winds.

“The new weather station improves the reliability of the information received at our forecasting centre, which ensures better monitoring of actual temperatures and maximises the efficiency of our salting decisions.”

The station is far more reliable than its solar-powered predecessor, which occasionally failed during the short mid-winter daylight hours.