Gritting routes
We spread salt on 778 miles of highway across the county on a typical cold/ frosty night on what we call our Primary gritting routes. This includes all A and B roads and some C roads.
We give priority to roads carrying the most traffic and the main routes between populated areas. There are two types of gritting routes:
- Primary routes - These are regularly gritted during the winter. They consist of the most heavily used roads in the county including all A and B roads and about 75% of the C roads. These are normally treated when the road surface temperature falls close to or below freezing or when there is a forecast of snow.
- Secondary routes - These are gritted when snow or severe icy conditions are forecast. They usually include the main link roads into villages, hamlets and urban estates as well as main roads to local hospitals.
You can view the gritting routes on the map below:
During periods of heavy snow, we clear and treat routes in priority order, starting with A roads. When Primary and Secondary routes are clear, priority is given to:
- Hospitals, Fire, Ambulance and Police Stations
- Bus and railway stations and other public transport stations
- Schools
- Sites such as very steep hills which cause particular problems
- Main shopping areas
We also have a team of local farmers with snow ploughs on call to assist during periods of heavy snow.
Minor rural and urban roads will be left to thaw naturally.