Herefordshire Council has explained why it is tendering for a £170,000 contract for weather forecasting.

The council is seeking a provider of “a high quality, cost-effective weather forecasting service to support the delivery of the council’s winter service plan” starting this month, its official notice says.

It explains that the appointed contractor will use the council’s existing weather stations and sensors alongside its own resources. The contract is to run for three years with an option to extend for up to six months.

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The council’s head of highways and traffic Ed Bradford said its weather forecasting system is “not comparable to forecasts available to all via the media”.

“Highway authorities across the country use an industry-specific weather forecasting service to provide targeted weather information which promotes safety for highway users across the county, and helps with the cost-effective provision of winter maintenance,” he explained.

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The service combines data from the council’s own roadside weather stations around the county with satellite and radar data on weather trends, and gives county officials direct access to a forecaster.

A key purpose of the service is to ensure that council gritters spread grit on the county's roads only when needed, based on several updates each day between October and the end of March, Mr Bradford said.

The council has had this service “for many years” and is now simply seeking to secure “an efficient and effective replacement service at the best possible value for money”, he added.