Winter Road Treatment
Lambeth’s commitment to its winter service programme means that we are on standby for adverse weather conditions.
From November to March we receive daily forecasts from the Met Office which help inform decisions on when to grit roads and pavements over the winter period.
We pre-grit, wherever possible, the main routes before ice forms or snow falls in a pre-determined priority order across the borough.
Our key objectives are to:
- Minimise delays, accidents and damage resulting from snow and ice.
- Undertake winter service effectively and efficiently.
Gritting
Cleanaway, our contractual partners, work 24/7 to minimize delays, accidents and damage caused by snow and ice. There are 5 gritters and 44 footway gritters on standby. There is also a new small towable grit spreader, specifically designed to enter narrow roads and cul-de-sacs.
Grit bins are also provided to enable the operatives to get at grit quickly and prevent bags of grit having to be provided by a vehicle. There are around 400 grit bins in use.
However the policy is that the bins are not for public use for safety reasons and to prevent abuse. They are therefore locked but all operatives are issued with keys, which the police and other emergency services can use.
When to grit?
During the winter months of November to March, we receive daily forecasts of snow and ice from the Met Office. We use these to make decisions on when to grit roads and pavements over the winter period.
People often wake up to a severe frost, scrape off their car and are then surprised to find that the roads have not been gritted. This is because action is taken on the road temperature being at or below freezing rather than the air temperature.
Roads retain heat and do not cool down nearly as quickly as objects such as cars, and so frost on a car can be a misleading guide to whether gritting is needed on the roads.
Gritting is likely when road temperatures are at or below 1ºC, and moisture is present or likely to be present to form ice.
Which roads are gritted?
Transport for London is responsible for many of the major roads and footpaths in Lambeth, marked in red on our map.
These include most of the main shopping area and so the council has asked Transport for London to give the highest priority to the footways in these key areas and the Tube and Rail stations, as well as keeping the roads open.
We are responsible for the other roads and footpaths.
We can't grit all roads due to cost and time. The main roads are tackled first - Priority 1 on our map - followed by the remaining road network.
After main roads priority is given to hospitals, fire stations, ambulance stations and to at least one access from the main road network to all communities - Priority 2 on our map.
Map
View our map of winter road treatment priorities.
Who to contact
Transport for London is responsible for many of the major roads and footpaths in Lambeth, these are marked in red on our map of winter road treatment priorities.
For snow clearance and gritting enquiries on these roads and footpaths please contact Transport for London by calling 0207 941 4500.
For enquiries on other roads and footpaths please call 0207 926 9000 or email TandHCallCentre@lambeth.gov.uk.
Handy winter tips
If you have to make a journey in bad weather the useful tips below will help to prepare for your journey.
- Check weather warnings with the Met Office.
- Think before you travel – is your trip necessary?
- If you must travel, allow plenty of time for your journey.
By car
- Check the weather forecast and the travel news before you go.
- Try to wait until the roads have been gritted before travelling.
- Follow the advice in the Highway Code for advice on driving in bad weather.
- Take extra caution around gritters. Do not be tempted to overtake.
- In snow and ice conditions drivers should allow extra room and reduce speed.
- Be equipped with warm clothing, food and a torch.
- If possible let someone know when you expect to arrive.
On foot
- Wear appropriate footwear and wrap up warm.
- Avoid walking on pavements that are in the shade.
- Tread carefully on icy surfaces that have been thawed by the sun. They can still be slushy and slippery.
By bike
- Be extra cautious it you still choose to travel by bike in such conditions.
- Follow main roads or other gritted roads as the gritters will not be covering bike routes, unless they are part of the treated road network, as they are often too narrow even for the hopper.
- Be very careful when cornering; go slower than normal.
By public transport
Frequently Asked Questions
More Questions and answers on the FAQ page.