Winter maintenance

Footways only get limited attention because clearing them is very labour intensive. Only major shopping areas are likely to be treated with salt in the early stages of snowfall. See our page on salt and grit bins.

We routinely spread salt on defined routes when ice or snow is forecast. The routes cover about half of the road network. With prolonged icy or snowy conditions, other roads may also be treated once the main roads have been cleared to a reasonable, safe driving standard.

Why we salt

We are committed to keeping a network of major roads free from ice to minimise the risk of accidents and ensure the smooth flow of traffic. Precautionary salting (sometimes called 'gritting') helps achieve this aim.

Spreading crushed rock salt on the roads before the surface reaches freezing point prevents ice forming in most cases. However, ice may still form if conditions are extremely cold, and other weather conditions may reduce the effectiveness of salt.

When we salt

We decide when to carry out precautionary salting using:

• regular weather forecasts specifically for road conditions on Oxfordshire's roads
• a computerised ice prediction system which compares forecast conditions against actual road temperatures measured at five weather stations around the county
• a through-the-night watch on conditions
• the local knowledge of staff to judge where and when to best carry out precautionary salting

Even if freezing temperatures are predicted, there may be no need for precautionary salting if:

• there is enough salt left on the road from the previous salting
• no rain has fallen and roads are dry, as ice will not form.

Where we salt

It would be unrealistic and uneconomic to salt all roads, although we do manage to treat 43 per cent of the county council's road network. Certain county roads have been identified as important routes because they:

• carry large volumes of traffic
• provide vital access for rural communities
• are known problem sites
• provide access to hospitals and fire stations
• are main bus routes.

The map below shows all the roads that will receive attention, divided into:

• priority 1 - the busiest roads
• priority 2 - other roads that need to be kept clear.
  
  
• Map showing salted roads in Oxfordshire (.pdf format, 772Kb)

How we salt

In the past, a large number of drivers and vehicles were used to carry out this task, with all roads salted in a three-hour period. Financial factors and legislation on working hours mean that we can no longer work in this way. Now we use a smaller, permanent night shift and longer salting routes.

When we do carry our precautionary salting it will be in stages:

• Priority 1 roads will normally be treated first, usually within three hours.
• Priority 2 roads will be treated next, again in about three hours.

We aim to have all work completed before ice would form on road services

Safety

Although we make great efforts to keep roads clear in winter, drivers must never assume that a road will be free from ice. This is because:

• priority 2 roads are treated only after priority 1 roads have been attended to
• in certain circumstances we may treat Priority 1 roads only
• salt can have a limited effect in severe cold conditions
• high winds or rain can remove salt from road surfaces before temperatures fall
• many minor roads do not get salted.

Remember: speed kills, especially in icy conditions. Kill your speed to make your driving safer.

Salt or grit bins

See our page on salt and grit bins for information on how to request one in your area.

Snow clearance

Snow can take much longer to clear than ice. Heavier applications of salt are needed when snow settles on roads more than one inch deep. As with salting, roads will be treated in order of importance, starting with Priority 1 roads.

You can report a road that needs snow clearance using the Oxfordshire Highways online form.

Further information

Please contact your Area Office:

• In Oxford City for minor roads contact: Oxford City Council on 01865 252900
• For A34 contact Mott MacDonald on 08457 419478
• For M40 Motorway contact UK Highway Services on 01295 270255
• For A43 contact Carillion-URS on 01536 413700

This page was last updated on 08 April 2009Back to top

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