We run a winter gritting service to keep our pavements and roads in a safe condition during snowy and icy conditions.
Before the start of the winter service season, the council and its contractor makes sure there is enough grit in storage to get through the harsh winter months.
Gritting routes
We do not have the resources to grit every road across the borough, so we prioritise the most important areas and only grit these.
We grit primary routes when we expect frost, ice or snow. Secondary routes and primary pavements are only gritted when we have snow conditions.
Primary routes
Gritting is carried out when the forecast is for freezing conditions and or snow, these include:
- major roads
- main bus routes
- width restrictions
- steep inclines
Secondary routes
As well as the primary routes, when we have snow conditions, we grit more roads.
These are places in the borough that are important to our residents and local businesses, for example a local shopping parade. These are gritted so that day-to-day activities can continue:
- bus garages, ambulance stations, fire stations
- major shopping centres
- additional commuter routes
View our primary and secondary gritting routes
Primary pavement areas
Primary pavement areas are only gritted when we have snow conditions. The following pavements are gritted:
- town centres and local shopping parades
- council run, supplementary and special schools
- tube and rail stations
- step or ramps leading to footbridges and subways
- sheltered accommodation
- NHS hospitals, clinics and health care centres
- day care centres
- residential homes
Transport for London (TfL) roads
For information about roads maintained by TfL, contact TfL Street Management directly
More information
You can find advice from the Met Office Website about keeping safe during snow and freezing conditions
You should never assume that all roads and pavements have been gritted. Always take care when walking or driving in winter conditions.