Winter services - roads

Snow clearance involves putting into place our emergency plans including resources aimed at clearing major roads affected in the shortest time possible.

Snow ploughing is carried out in extreme conditions, our aim is to clear all priority roads of snow, as soon as conditions permit.

What you can do

Advice on clearing snow:

• always dress warmly in layers and keep all extremities covered, especially hands and ears;
• warm up by stretching to avoid any undue strain on the muscles, if shoveling snow, lift the shovel with your legs and not your back;
• use a shovel with the widest blade available;
• make a line down the middle of your path first, so you have a safe surface to walk on, shovel the snow from the centre to the sides;
• always step in the direction to which you are moving the snow to avoid twisting your back;
• spread some ordinary table salt on the area you have cleared to prevent any ice forming;
• DO NOT USE HOT WATER. This will melt the snow, but will replace it with black ice, increasing the risk of injury; and
• take frequent breaks and go inside to warm up every fifteen to twenty minutes.

There are no specific laws stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavements outside your property, pathways to your property or public spaces. If an accident did happen, it is highly unlikely that you would be sued as long as you make sure you do not make the pavement or pathway more dangerous than before.

People using areas covered by snow and ice have to be mindful of their own safety.

View the roads, pavements and cycle paths we grit.