Roads are treated by gritting and ploughing to ensure the busiest roads open and
safe. Prioritising roads are based on their level of traffic, so we treat more important
routes and then less important routes when resources become available.
C1
Council roads of primary importance and which form a strategic network, main urban
traffic routes, the main routes to larger schools where these can be clearly identified,
the Council's surfaced car parks, major bus routes and routes to main emergency
service establishments.
Treatment and times
- Precautionary salt treatment 24 hours per day
- Treatment of ice 24 hours per day
- Clearance of snow 24 hours per day
C2
These routes include main urban spine roads into housing and industrial areas where
there are difficult bends or steep inclines and are particularly prone to icing.
Treatment and times
Any treatment on Priority 2 roads will normally be carried out between 5am-10pm
- Precautionary salt treatment on receipt of a specific instruction from the Duty
Manager
- Treatment of ice on receipt of a specific instruction from the Duty Manager
- Treatment of snow on receipt of a specific instruction from the Duty Manager
- Treatment will only be carried out on the Priority 2 road network when the general
outlook (established from forecasts and other weather information) is that the prevailing
ice and / or snow conditions are likely to continue to exist unbroken beyond 24
hours from the initial onset
- Consideration will be given to rural routes which may not have defrosted in line
with urban routes
C3
These are identified roads to less populated rural areas. C3 routes include lesser
spine roads and larger cul-de-sacs within housing and industrial areas where there
are difficult bends or steep inclines and are particularly prone to icing.
Treatment and times
- Any treatment on priority 3 roads will only be carried out between 5am-10pms. No
treatment will be carried out beyond these times
- No precautionary salt treatment
- Treatment of Ice on receipt of a specific instruction from the Duty Manager
- Clearance of snow on receipt of a specific instruction from the Duty Manager
- Treatment will only be carried out on the Priority 3 road network when the general
outlook (established from forecasts and other weather information) is that the prevailing
ice and / or snow conditions are likely to continue to exist unbroken beyond 48
hours from the initial onset
C4A
Roads within this category are C4 routes presenting the highest level of importance
and will be categorised as Priority C4A.
C4
The remainder of the road network.
Treatment and times
- Any treatment on Priority 4 and Priority 4A roads will only be carried out during
working hours (7:30am – 4pm Monday to Thursday and 7:30am – 12:30pm on a Friday).
No treatment will be will be carried out beyond these times
- No treatment will be will be carried out beyond these times unless in emergency
situations and authorised by the Roads Manager or Head of Service
Snowploughs and gritters are large vehicles that may have difficulty in clearing
and treating narrow streets with tight bends and junctions. You can help by avoiding
double parking or, if possible, parking your car off the road.
In extreme conditions or if you are concerned about road conditions - don't travel.
Allow the roads to be cleared first. If you get stuck attempting to drive in such
conditions, our gritters won't get through.