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Winter Road Treatment FAQs

What's the difference between salting and gritting?

There is not usually any difference. The salt we spread is 'as dug' which means it includes some sand and so is known as grit. Occasionally, when there has been heavy snowfall grit is used alone to avoid the snow melting and refreezing in low temperatures.

Is my road going to be gritted?

If you live on a main road then your road will probably be gritted in line with the priorities outlined on the main Winter road treatment page. Check the gritting maps for further information.

Is the footpath outside my house going to be cleared of snow?

We clear snow from footways in line with the priorities outlined on the main Winter road treatment page. If you live on a main road or within a town centre then we will probably clear the snow from your footpath. If you are outside the town centre and are not one of the priority locations such as a school it is unlikely that your footpath will be cleared.

Can I clear the footpath of snow and ice outside my house?

Yes, but please read our tips and advice.

• Start early as it is easier to clear fresh, loose snow and more difficult to clear compacted ice.
• Do not use hot water. This will melt the snow and may replace it with black ice which will increase the risk of injury.
• Be a good neighbour as some people may be unable to clear snow and ice from outside their property.
• Do not block paths or drainage channels with the newly shoveled snow.
• Clear the middle of the area first so that you have somewhere to walk on.
• Spread table salt or dishwasher salt on to the cleared area to stop ice but avoid spreading salt on to plants or grass.
• Pay particular attention to steps and steep gradients.
• Remove the top layer of snow so that the sun melts the ice underneath, but cover up any remaining ice with salt so that it does not refreeze overnight.
• If you do not have salt available use sand or ash and, if necessary, grit from our grit bins. However, if you do use the grit, please remember that it is a hazardous substance and you will be using it at your own risk. You should keep the grit away from your skin and eyes.

Can I get sued for not clearing snow and ice properly?

There is no law to stop you clearing snow and ice from the pavement outside your property, or from pathways to your property or to public areas. In the case of an accident you are unlikely to be sued if you have acted carefully and sensibly. When we use areas affected by snow and ice we all have a responsibility to be careful.

When do you grit the roads?

The coldest time is usually in the early hours of the morning so most gritting takes place in the evening after the rush hour and before the ice starts to form. However, weather conditions vary and we grit when we can best prevent the formation of ice. When we have to grit during rush hour the task can take much longer and we try to avoid this where possible.

When are pavements gritted or cleared of snow?

Footways in the priority areas are cleared of snow or gritted between 6am and 2pm. However, this work is done by hand and it can take time to complete. We continue throughout the day in an effort to clear as many footways as possible,

Do you grit when there is ice or snow?

We try to prevent the formation of ice by pre-gritting the main routes. If ice forms, further salt may be required. With snow, the forecasted depth helps us decide when to salt the roads. However, we will usually start gritting prior to snowfall and will re-grit as often as possible until the snow stops falling and the roads clear.

Why have you not cleared snow from the whole pavement?

We clear sufficient space so that users of wheelchairs, pushchairs and prams can use the pavements. By not clearing the whole pavement we are able to treat all the priority areas rather than just some.

We also aim to use our time and money in the most effective way possible. By gritting just one side of the footway we are able to move quickly on to other areas on our footway priority list.

When will my waste be collected if there is snow on the road?

If it is dangerous for refuse trucks to drive on the roads then we stop waste collections until the roads are safe. When we restart the service we provide additional collections and, where necessary, include weekend collections. If you have missed a waste collection due to snow you can call the street care call centre for an update on 020 7926 9000.