Winter Gritting

Which roads will be gritted?

When ice or snow is forecast we will salt all primary roads in the Borough (Class A and B roads)  as well as some busier lower class roads.

Motorways (such as the M4) are salted by the Highways Agency

When will the roads be gritted?

We monitor weather conditions from mid November to the end of March using updates from the Meteorological Office and road monitoring weather stations around the Borough. When freezing road temperatures are forecast we will arrange for precautionary salting to be carried out on primary routes.Salting can take place at any time of the day but is usually carried out during late evening.

The Council’s contractor should begin salting within an hour of receiving the call. Salting of all primary routes should take about three hours, although this may be longer during rush hours.

In winter you should expect:

• Sub zero temperatures
• Frost
• Ice
• Snow
• The sun to be low in the sky

In cold conditions always drive with extra care and never assume that a road has been salted even if ice or snow has been forecast. No road can ever be guaranteed to be ice or snow free.

Plan your journey

• Is the journey really necessary and must it be now?
• Is it possible to use public transport or travel at a different time?
• Check the weather forecast before starting your trip – even if it is a local trip
• Plan your journey using the primary route network shown in the Winter Gritting Routes document (link below)
• Allow extra time for the journey and do not rush – it is better to arrive late than never
• If in a vehicle, carry warm additional clothing, waterproof footwear, torch and shovel
• A mobile phone could be useful in an emergency – but only use it if hands free

Check your vehicle

• Keep your battery fully charged
• Check tyre treads and pressures
• Keep the anti-freeze in the radiator and low freezing screen wash in the washer bottle topped up
• Keep a can of de-icer and scraper in your vehicle
• Before starting your journey, clear ice and condensation from the windscreen, side windows and mirrors
• Make sure windows, wipers, lights and indicators are clean and in good order

Road use in winter conditions

• Make allowances for other road users, take responsibility for your safety and do not endanger others
• Think carefully before deciding to use a motorcycle or bicycle. If walking, make sure your footwear and clothing is suitable
• Use local radio stations for regular travel and weather updates
• Rain, fog or snow reduces visibility. Use dipped headlights and reduce your speed
• On wet roads stopping distances are double those on dry roads. Keep well back form the vehicle in front
• If roads are icy or slushy stopping distances can increase 10 fold. Drive slowly in as high a gear as possible. Keep extra distance from the vehicle in front, and avoid heavy braking, acceleration of harsh steering
• Winter sun can be low and dazzling. Use your sun visor