Gritting and Winter Service

Wirral has its own weather station and special computer links which provide our forecasters with data. Together with other weather stations across Merseyside, this enables our weather centre to forecast Wirral’s weather and more importantly the road surface temperatures.

Forecast information is updated 24 hours a day and used by trained Wirral staff to make the decision on whether or not to grit. Salting decisions are taken very seriously to ensure road safety, to avoid unnecessary gritting and to protect the environment.

Unnecessary gritting poses a threat to the environment as most of the 3,500 tonnes of salt spread on to roads in a winter period will eventually be washed off by rain or snow and find its way into a watercourse.

Winter maintenance arrangements are continually reviewed both during and after the winter gritting season.

Details of the current gritting routes and locations are available to view by downloading the Winter Service Plan and appendices. A list of public Grit Bin Locations is also available to download.

Where does the Council grit?

Section 111 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 imposed an additional duty to ensure that, where reasonably practicable, safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice.

While Wirral Council does make great efforts, it is not possible to grit all roads. We have to give priority to maintaining safe driving conditions along specific routes.

We grit all major roads and main bus routes in Wirral, whenever it is necessary. Inevitably, there simply aren’t the resources to grit every side street or minor road. Priority has to be given to maintaining safe driving conditions along the busiest routes and in areas that have the greatest potential for accidents.

Pavements are not treated, except when icy conditions last for several days. Then busy pavements, such as those in shopping areas, may be gritted. Almost 300 grit bins are located across Wirral which you can use on a self help basis to spread salt on potential problem spots.

Can you grit my road?

If you have a particular concern – we will ask our inspectors to investigate.

Do you provide grit bins?

If you have a particular concern – we will ask our inspectors to investigate. Almost 300 grit bins are located across Wirral, which you can use on a self help basis to spread salt on pavements in your area.

A list of grit bin locations is available to download

Are you responsible for gritting the motorway?

Gritting the M53 motorway is the responsibility of the Highways Agency. The routes are maintained by A-ONE + (Telephone: 01925 859 360).

Can I get a grit bin removed because of problems with vandalism?

If somebody wants a grit bin removed you will need the support of other local residents. We will investigate each request.

Does gritting always work?

Unfortunately, no matter how good the forecast, there are still times when our ability to salt roads effectively is limited. The following situations can create difficulties:

• When overnight rain stops just before dawn, the sky clears and temperatures drop rapidly below freezing, salting cannot begin until the rain has stopped as it would be washed away. In these circumstances some roads have become icy before the gritters have finished the three hour salting operation.

• When ‘dawn frost’ occurs on dry roads – early morning dew falls on a cold road and freezes on impact, it is extremely difficult to forecast when or where this will occur.

• Rush hour snowfall – when rain turns to snow during peak traffic early salting is not possible.

How you can help yourself?

It is important to remember that gritting Wirral’s roads only reduces the risk of dangerous conditions for drivers – it cannot remove the risk altogether. Motorists should always drive with extreme caution in icy weather.