Winter maintenance is an important role for our Highways and Transportation Service. We carry out winter maintenance to allow all road users to move about as safely as possible and to help minimise delays caused by adverse weather conditions.
Our winter maintenance service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is in place whenever the weather demands.
Updates
General update (Last updated: 18/04/2013 13:31:21)
W 15-20 with gusts 30-40, easing to 10-15 with gusts 20-25 by 2100, and becoming NW with gusts dying away in the early hours of Friday END
Gritting routes map, routes covered are highlighted with amber lines. Please note, the M62 that runs through Kirklees is covered by the Highways Agency.
Weather update (Last updated: 18/04/2013 13:32:36)
This will slowly move southeast in the early hours of Friday, with plenty of cloud keeping temperatures well above freezing. END
Road update
| Road | Description | Status | Last updated |
| A6024 | 19th April - Open again | Open | 19 April 2013 at 08:39 |
| A62 | Open | 28 March 2013 at 09:23 | |
| A635 | Open | 27 March 2013 at 13:59 | |
| A640 | 28 March 2013 - Now Clear and Open | Open | 28 March 2013 at 09:22 |
About gritting
Gritting routes
View the gritting routes map
As part of the council's winter maintenance policy, the Highways and Transportation Service grits 60% of the road network in Kirklees in response to severe weather warnings. These priority routes are main roads, main bus routes and steep roads that provide important links to main roads. This represents over 700 miles of road that can be treated within two hours of starting to grit.
During long periods of severe weather such as heavy snow and freezing conditions, we grit and clear snow from the remaining road network. All other routes are treated once the priority routes are clear, depending on the severity of the weather. It can take a few days to do this because of the size of the network and because treatment is carried out on a planned priority basis.
What we use
We use rock salt which is known as 'grit' but is in fact about 99% salt. A typical gritting uses about 93 tonnes of grit.
How we decide when and when not to grit
- We get up to date weather forecasts direct from the MET office.
- We have weather stations and sensors around Kirklees.
- We have night patrols to monitor the situation on the roads.
- We have trained and experienced senior managers who decide whether or not we grit.
What else do we do?
- We have text message activated snow warning signs to warn drivers of difficult situations ahead.
- We work closely with the Police, bus companies, emergency planning services and other local authorities to get a clearer picture of how the weather is affecting people. Whenever possible, we try to make sure that town and village centres, doctors' surgeries, health centres, hospitals, bus stations, schools and the homes of vulnerable residents are treated and made as safe as possible.
- We have night patrols to monitor the situation on the roads.
- We often carry out 'pre-gritting' before the arrival of severe weather to help prevent ice forming on roads and improve safety.
Requests
We must concentrate our winter maintenance on the main routes in Kirklees and on making sure that key locations such as schools and hospitals are as safe as possible. When we carry out a 'full grit' (all priority routes, secondary routes and key locations), we use all our resources so we are unable to accept requests at the same time.
Once a 'full grit' has been completed, we may be able to grit other areas as requested by residents. If you ring Highways Customer Care on freephone: 01484 414700 they'll be able to give you up to date information on this service.
Grit bins
- We have over 1,300 grit bins in Kirklees (almost twice as many as surrounding districts). The grit is provided for use on public roads and pavements and is not for private use.
- We may be able to move grit bins from one location to another location but this can only be done with the agreement of ward councillors.
- We fill grit bins three to four times a year. Grit bins have stickers that detail when the bin was last filled.
How can you help us?
Please bear in mind that our gritters may not be able to get through very heavy traffic.
It helps us a great deal if people park sensibly. Our gritters are large vehicles and they cannot get through tight spaces or around abandoned cars.
Report problems to us
- Report a problem
Report potholes, streetlights, road, path or pavement and other problems.
The snow code
There's no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your home or from public spaces. It's unlikely you'll be sued or held legally responsible for any injuries on the path if you have cleared it carefully. Follow the snow code when clearing snow and ice safely.
- If you clear snow and ice yourself, be careful - don't make the pathways more dangerous by causing them to refreeze. But don't be put off clearing paths because you're afraid someone will get injured.
- Remember, people walking on snow and ice have responsibility to be careful themselves. Follow the advice below to make sure you clear the pathway safely and effectively.
- Clear the snow or ice early in the day.
- It's easier to move fresh, loose snow rather than hard snow that has packed together from people walking on it. So if possible, start removing the snow and ice in the morning. If you remove the top layer of snow in the morning, any sunshine during the day will help melt any ice beneath. You can then cover the path with salt before nightfall to stop it refreezing overnight.
- Use salt or sand - not water.
- If you use water to melt the snow, it may refreeze and turn to black ice. Black ice increases the risk of injuries as it is invisible and very slippery. You can prevent black ice by spreading some salt on the area you have cleared. You can use ordinary table or dishwasher salt - a tablespoon for each square metre you clear should work. Don't use the salt found in salting bins - this will be needed to keep the roads clear.
- Be careful not to spread salt on plants or grass as it may cause them damage.
- If you don't have enough salt, you can also use sand or ash. These won't stop the path icing over as well as salt, but will provide good grip under foot.
- Take care where you move the snow.
- When you're shovelling snow, take care where you put it so it doesn't block people's paths or drains. Make sure you make a path down the middle of the area to be cleared first, so you have a clear surface to walk on. Then shovel the snow from the centre of the path to the sides.
- Offer to clear your neighbours' paths.
- If your neighbour will have difficulty getting in and out of their home, offer to clear snow and ice around their property as well. Check that any elderly or disabled neighbours are alright in the cold weather. If you’re worried about them, contact your local council.
