Roads - gritting

We are responsible for the maintenance of the public roads and footpaths in Derby which includes the winter maintenance service. The weather forecast is checked at least once a day throughout winter (between 1^st October and 30^th April) so we can judge whether to send our gritting vehicles out to grit the roads.

The Met Office advises us of the possibility of freezing road surface temperatures, ice or snow and gives an approximate time when we might expect this to happen. We use this information to decide whether gritting is necessary.

Which roads are currently gritted?

We grit our principal roads, classified roads, important access roads and some but not all bus routes. Our routes are designed to enable access to critical buildings such as the hospitals, fire and police stations, major food distribution centres the city centre and both the railway and bus stations.

The main pedestrianised areas and footpaths in the city centre and shopping centres will also be treated under certain weather conditions.

In prolonged periods of snow and ice other roads and footpaths may be treated once the priority routes are cleared.

The Derbyshire Mapping Portal publish an interactive map of gritted routes - this includes the roads in Derby City. You can view them on the Derbyshire Mapping Portal.

How can I find out when gritting is happening in Derby?

We will be post notice of our gritting on our Twitter and Facebook pages so that you will know exactly when we are gritting our roads.

For more information about gritting see the Gritting Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Facts and figures about gritting

Rock Salt is generally used by Councils, known as Highways Authorities, to prevent the formation of ice on the roads. Rock Salt is the natural solid form of salt, and is mined from seams deep beneath the sea bed. The spreading of rock salt on roads is commonly termed as gritting, although neither sand nor crushed rock grit is used in the process.

• We have 6 gritters which can be fitted with snow ploughs if needed..
• Our rock salt is located at our depot atStores Road. The salt is delivered and stockpiled in our salt barn throughout the summer months to avoid paying a premium price for it during the winter period.
• Approximately 2000 tonnes of salt are spread on our roads during an average winter. But the last 3 years have been more prolonged and our salt use has increased to around 3600 tonnes on average each year.
• 80% of all salt spreading operations take place between 2pm and 5pm and between 4am and 7am.
• Salt is spread at 10-20 grams per square metre for a frost warning.
• Salt can be spread at up to 40 grams per square metre when snow has been predicted. But snow ploughs are usually used to remove snow first before spreading grit.

Useful links

• Derby's gritted roads on Derbyshire maps
• Follow our Twitter feed to find out when gritting is happening
• Follow us on Facebook to be kept informed about gritting news