Gritting and grit bins

Winter

Gritting route maps, where we grit, what we use, how we decide when to grit and how you can help us.

In September 2021 the West Yorkshire Combined Authority compiled this map of the resilient network:

2014 review and recommendation

In 2014, the Department for Transport (DfT) undertook a review of the resilience of the UK transport network to extreme weather events. This followed a period of extreme weather in 2013/14, which saw high winds and heavy rainfall.

A number of recommendations were made as a result, in both the short and longer term. What follows is the key short-term recommendation for the local highway network.

DfT recommendation for local roads

"It is recommended that Local Highway Authorities identify a 'resilient network' to which they will give priority, in order to maintain economic activity and access to key services during extreme weather. Where Authorities have held formal reviews of the winter's events, they should ensure that these are enacted; Authorities which were not affected should nevertheless continue to prepare themselves for future extreme weather."

The development of a resilient network directly supports our council vision: supporting a local resilient economy.

Priority has been given to the two greatest risks to the highway network: snow/ice and flooding. A tiered approach to the management of the network has been used, with the gritting routes forming the base of the resilient network.

Priority routes
  • We grit 53% of the road network in Kirklees in response to severe weather warnings.
  • These priority routes are main roads, main bus routes and steep roads that provide important links to main roads.
  • This represents over 700 miles of road that can be treated within two hours of starting to grit.
Other routes
  • During long periods of severe weather such as heavy snow and freezing conditions, we grit and clear snow from the remaining road network.
  • All other routes are treated once the priority routes are clear, depending on the severity of the weather. It can take a few days to do this because of the size of the network and because treatment is carried out on a planned priority basis.
Gritting routes map
  • We use rock salt which is known as grit but is in fact about 99% salt. A typical gritting uses about 93 tonnes of grit.
  • We get up to date weather forecasts direct from the Met Office Severe weather warnings .
  • We have weather stations and sensors around Kirklees.
  • We have night patrols to monitor the situation on the roads.
  • We have trained and experienced senior managers who decide whether or not we grit.
  • We have text message activated snow warning signs to warn drivers of difficult situations ahead. Sign up for Kirklees emergency text alerts
  • We work closely with the Police, bus companies, emergency planning services and other local authorities to get a clearer picture of how the weather is affecting people. Whenever possible, we try to make sure that town and village centres, doctors' surgeries, health centres, hospitals, bus stations, schools and the homes of vulnerable residents are treated and made as safe as possible.
  • We have night patrols to monitor the situation on the roads.
  • We often carry out 'pre-gritting' before the arrival of severe weather to help prevent ice forming on roads and improve safety.
  • We must concentrate our winter maintenance on the main routes in Kirklees and on making sure that key locations such as schools and hospitals are as safe as possible. When we carry out a full grit (all priority routes, secondary routes and key locations), we use all our resources so we are unable to accept requests at the same time.
  • Once a full grit has been completed, we may be able to grit other areas as requested by residents.
  • We maintain over 1,450 grit bins in Kirklees, located at sites not on a priority gritting route.
  • We cannot provide any more grit bins, but they can be moved from one location to another within a ward if approved by your local ward councillor.
  • We fill grit bins at the beginning of the winter season and after periods of severe weather, when resources allow. Grit bins have stickers that show when the bin was last filled.
  • We also provide grit to some community organisations to help vulnerable people in their locality.
  • The grit stored in grit bins is for use on public roads, pavements, and other public areas only - not private driveways for example.
  • Park sensibly. Our gritters are large vehicles and they cannot get through tight spaces or around abandoned cars
Clear a pavement or public path

Don't be put off from clearing snow or ice from a pavement or other public place because you're afraid someone will be injured.

Remember, people walking on snow and ice are responsible for their own safety. Check the Met Office advice for more information and guidance to help you clear the area safely.

Guidance

Winter driving checklist

Housing emergency plan

Contact Streetscene

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