Surrey County Council has enlisted 50 drivers with tractors and ploughs to clear snow-covered routes for drivers

Council cabinet member for transport and environment, Ian Lake, said: “Our 40-plus gritters and ploughs will be doing everything possible to keep Surrey moving in bad weather but they can’t treat every road in Surrey, which is why the support farmers provide is so important.

“We’ve got even more farmers working with us this year and they’ll be focusing their efforts on keeping disruption caused by ice and snow in rural areas to a minimum.”

Arable farmer Ray Simmons, of East Flexford Farm, near Wanborough, and his son Jim are ready to send four ploughs out in the Waverley and Guildford areas, including on the Hogs Back, to unclog snow-hit roads.

Mr Simmons said: “Obviously there was more snow last year than normal and we were out a lot on the roads and then clearing car parks at schools. You want to be out there early before people in vehicles crush it down and make it harder to clear.

“We keep an eye on the weather and prepare well. We make sure the tractors’ fuel tanks are full up and we keep everything under cover so we’re ready to go as soon as we’re needed because it’s not good trying to do that when there’s snow.”

Malcolm Mott, of Fairchildes Farm, Chelsham, has two ploughs ready to go out in Tandridge, covering areas around Warlingham and Oxted.

Mr Mott said: “I like to get out to shift snow before vehicles flatten it on roads. We can do six to eight hours at a time, depending on conditions. Last year was hectic because the snow drifted back on to the road from fields.”