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Winter services - road gritting

We aim to provide a service which, as far as reasonably possible, will permit the safe movement of both vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic on more strategic parts of the highway network, while minimising the disruption and accidents directly contributable to the adverse weather conditions.

Summary of winter services
Each year from the start of November to the end of March, we use forecasts of ice and snow conditions to decide when the gritting of roads and footways is necessary.

How we monitor weather conditions
We receive daily forecasts from Meteo Group, part of the Press Association, indicating expected weather conditions during a 24-hour period and a prediction for the following five days. Five road sensors and weather stations are strategically located across the city enabling information about road temperatures, conditions and existing salt cover. This information is updated every hour, and monitored around the clock enabling deployment of services quickly and efficiently from the Whitley depot site.

Roads and pavements routes
The defined gritting routes cover 415km of the city's network; they include the primary routes for vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle, bus routes and significant local traffic routes. All routes are given the same priority. In partnership with CV1 the central shopping areas, precinct steps, ramps and car parks are pre-salted.
Salting of defined routes usually takes place before 2.00am and the aim is to ensure all routes are clear of ice by 7.30am of each morning.

Follow this link to find out which roads and footways are salted.

Treatment of snow – severe conditions
Under these conditions it is our aim to ensure all priority routes should be kept clear to full width. When no early thaw is expected treatment will be extended to local shopping areas and identified problem areas.

Follow this link to view the list of areas.

Self-help salt bins 226 salt bins are provided for public use at strategic locations throughout the city, such as sharp bends, steps and steep gradients. They are checked after periods of snow and refilled as necessary.

Follow this link to view the locations of the salt bins.

About rock salt Coventry uses a product called Safecote rock salt, which is a mixture of rock salt and a derivative of sugar production process. Safecote is well proven, in extreme snow/ice conditions of North America. Additional benefits are it is environmentally friendly, non-corrosive, and re-activates when spread to prevent ice and frost forming for up to three days.

Follow this link to find out more about Safecote.

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