Southwark Council carry out precautionary gritting during cold snap

Southwark Council carry out precautionary gritting when the road surface temperature is forecast to fall below 0°C.

Roads are gritted in the following order:

• roads with a steep slope and generally north facing
• roads part of the minimum road network of Greater London Authority that is kept open to allow essential services to operate (Resilience Network)
• priority roads in and out of the borough and main bus routes
• all other roads
• certain pedestrian locations
• QW1 Cycle route only (Location info can be found in our Winter Service Policy & Plan)
• Salt bins are provided across the borough, particularly in areas difficult to access in icy conditions, allowing residents and passing motorists to treat the carriageway and footway within the area.

Southwark Council do not usually provide salt to private individuals or businesses. Rock salt can be obtained from some builders’ merchants and DIY stores.

The following is advice on how to use salt effectively to deal with icy conditions. Tips for salting paths effectively:

• sprinkle salt on paths when a freeze is coming to stop them getting icy
• don’t use boiling water to melt ice as it can refreeze
• if it’s snowed, put salt over the first layer of snow
• the best time to put down salt is in the evening before the ice arrives
• use about a tablespoon of salt per square metre
• avoid getting salt on plants and trees
• give your steps and any steep areas extra attention
• look out for salt bins; they’re for you to use on your road as our gritters only cover the busier roads

The information provided in this article is available on Southwark council’s website.