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Gritting and ploughing

Gritting and ploughing

Request road gritting, report an empty grit bin or untreated road or paths.

Gritting

If we are expecting severe weather, we will update our Alerts page, Facebook and X channels on road conditions and planned gritting.

Road or footpath gritting request

When we grit

We schedule gritting when weather forecasts indicate that temperatures will drop to 0°C or below, when conditions suggest a risk of ice, frost, or other hazardous surfaces forming on the network.

It takes 3 hours to cover all of Northumberland. We aim to have busy routes gritted by 8am.

Gritting does become less effective if the temperatures continue to drop. In extreme conditions, like freezing rain, gritting will not prevent a surface icing over. These weather conditions are very rare.

Find out more in our winter services policy document (PDF).

Where we grit

Routine gritting takes place on a network of 28 main routes. We also grit busy footpaths, car parks and shopping areas during persistent icy conditions.

Precautionary gritting routes (map)

Our Highways in Winter leaflet provides more information.

Priority roads

The route we grit is planned so treated roads can be reached within:

  • no more than 5 miles for rural residents
  • no more than one mile for urban residents

Main bus routes and distributor roads with steep approaches to main road junctions are also made a priority.

Second priority roads

We grit when widespread ice is expected to continue through the day and in light snow falls. These roads include:

  • access roads to communities with no alternative gritted roads
  • important bus routes
  • urban distributor roads (roads that connect local streets to major roads)

Watch this video to find out more (video)

Where we don't grit

Northumberland County Council is not responsible for gritting or ploughing on the A1 and A19. National Highways is responsible for those roads.

Telephone: 0300 123 5000
Email: info@nationalhighways.co.uk

Grit bins and heaps

These are available, where routine gritting doesn't happen, such as:

  • selected steep hills
  • verges
  • sharp bends
  • near steps

You can use this grit to clear snow and ice from roads and pavements around your home. It should not be used on private property.

Report empty grit bin or heap

Report damaged or request new grit bin

Ploughing

When snow falls in excess of 50mm, with possible drifting, snowploughs attached to gritters will be used. Snowblowers and other specialist machines are also sometimes used.

In severe snow conditions it's not possible to clear all the roads at once, so we prioritise roads in the following order:

  1. principal roads cleared to a minimum 2 lane width
  2. roads into towns and villages at least one road into each to allow for access to the cleared major roads
  3. major town centres

Snow clearance on other roads will only take place when the higher priority roads have been cleared, which may take several days.