Gritting and Snow Clearance

In freezing temperatures we spread a mixture of grit and salt on roads and pavements, which helps to increase traction and melt ice.

Priority Routes

First we will grit the borough’s busiest roads, including those with bus routes or a high risk of accidents in freezing conditions. We will then grit other routes as necessary. The three levels of priority are:

Priority A — Strategic routes, principal roads, important classified roads and bus routes 
Priority B — All other classified roads, important unclassified roads and bus routes 
Priority C — During long periods of lying ice or snow, minor access roads in hilly or exposed locations, and sometimes important footway routes, will be treated 

Please note, treatment of Priority C routes will only be considered when conditions are severe, all other priorities have been fully treated and resources become available.

Times

Everyday we get a specialised weather forecast from the Met Office. The forecast predicts the possibility of freezing road temperatures and snow, and the time these conditions may occur. When we receive a prediction of these conditions we will grit the roads.

From the time we call out our gritting lorries, Priority A routes will be treated within 2 hours, Priority B routes within 4 hours and Priority C routes within 48 hours. 

Snow Clearance

When snow falls, we will spread grit on the various routes within the same times given above. We aim to clear all priority roads of snow as soon as conditions permit. 

Warning!

You should only travel in bad weather conditions if your journey is absolutely necessary. If there is snow or ice on the ground we advise you to stay indoors until we have been able to grit the roads and pavements. For more advice on winter weather and travelling, please click here to visit the Met Office website.

If you have any questions about gritting or snow clearance, please click here to contact us.