Why we can’t grit every road
The adopted road network in Westmorland and Furness is almost 2,600 miles long and with the limited resources we have available it is not feasible to treat all roads.
We therefore adopt a priority treatment system that first focuses on the strategic road network and access to local hospitals, emergency services, schools, bus routes etc.
Why your road may not be on a priority route
There are limitations on the winter service that the council can deliver, and priority has to be given to roads that serve the greatest needs of the wider population of Westmorland and Furness, for example, main routes and accesses to local amenities.
Housing estates, while important to the residents that live there, do not play a major role in the main traffic movements around the area and are therefore given a lower priority, and treated when resources allow.
Check our priority gritting route map where you will see the higher priority roads in your area which receive treatment first. We would advise that all road users (drivers, pedestrian and cyclist) take extra care when using lower prioritised routes.
How you can request a road be treated for ice and snow
To request for your road to be treated for ice and snow, complete our highways online reporting form.
Please be aware the Council’s treatment priorities for the year are set by September each year and will be followed until the end of the winter period, therefore it may be some time before your request can be reviewed.
The reason we call it gritting
Although most of us call it gritting there is mostly no grit involved.
What we actually spread on the roads in Westmorland and Furness is 6mm crushed rock salt. We spread salt from the back of gritters which is why it’s commonly referred to as gritting.
How salt works
Water freezes at 0 degrees celsius, but salt stops water from freezing until temperatures are between minus 6 degrees celsius and minus 8 degrees celcius.
We use salt to pre-treat the priority routes prior to the temperatures falling close to or below zero.
The salt works best when it goes into a solution, which is why we rely on the tyres of vehicles passing over the top of it to crush the salt onto the road.
Ice on a road following a gritting treatment
After being treated, roads and pavements can remain icy for some time, often until there is a significant number of people moving over the area.
When temperatures drop below minus 5 degrees, we urge all road users to take extra care if temperatures are well below freezing as grit is not as effective.
How to grit your road or pavement with salt effectively
One tablespoon of grit is enough to cover a 1 metre by 1 metre squared area.
Sprinkle a fine coating to help prevent the formation of ice and melting snow, and remember, close the lid after use as once salt becomes solid, it is unusable.
Why salt isn’t melting the ice
If the salt is spread on ice that has already formed and you do not notice it melting, you do not need to put more on.
For the ice to melt, it requires pressure from people walking or wheeling over it to crush the salt into the area and start the melting process.
How to apply for a salt bin or heap your road
We have a specific criteria for the locations of grit bins and if you already live on a regularly treated Priority 1 or Priority 2 route, we do not routinely provide further grit bins or salt heaps.
Once the Council receives an application the location will be assessed against the criteria and a response will be provided. If your request meets the current criteria, a grit bin will be provided.
You can apply for a salt bin or heap using the highways online reporting form.