Somerset Council and its new winter service partner Kier Transportation Ltd are working together to keep roads safe this winter with the gritter fleet ready to head out when freezing temperatures or snow are forecast.
Kier started work operations with Somerset Council in April 2024. As well as key winter service requirements such as gritting and other emergency functions in adverse weather, the arrangement covers road repairs, drainage and verge cutting.
Gritting involves spreading treated rock salt on roads to help prevent ice and snow buildup. This is extremely important during icy months as it helps keep roads safe and reduces weather-related disruptions.
Road users need to be ready too for adverse conditions. As the winter season approaches, it is vital that you travel according to the conditions and your vehicle is suitably maintained. Find out more by visiting the Council’s Adverse weather conditions page.
Preparation of the Council’s depots, and filling of its salt barns has taken place throughout the summer, so the team is ready when the temperatures drop.
The Council’s winter team will also be topping up gritting bins in communities across Somerset.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s Executive Lead Member for Transport and Waste Services, said:
As the winter weather approaches we would ask people to please plan ahead and make sure you drive according to conditions in order to stay safe.
Ice can still form on roads that have been gritted and extra care needs to be taken in winter weather. Please be patient on hazardous roads and do not try to overtake gritters while they are treating roads, they’re doing their job to help keep you and other road users safe.
Rain can wash salt away and in very low temperatures gritting may not be enough to prevent freezing – so drivers are always advised to take extra caution in winter.
I would also like to thank Somerset’s farmers who are hugely helpful in supporting the Council’s winter services, by taking on snow ploughing duties when conditions become challenging.
Daily gritting updates will be posted on Travel Somerset’s X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook pages throughout winter.
Some answers to commonly asked questions:
Which roads are treated?
The gritting network covers all previous routes. Its main priority is to keep the busiest routes clear whenever ice or snow is expected. The priority is roads that link major towns, villages and communities on high ground and the important routes across the county for long distance travel.
When do the gritters come out?
The Council undertakes gritting when the road surface temperatures are forecasted to fall below 1°C and there is an expectation of ice or snow. Precautionary gritting occurs before ice forms, which usually means teams are out in the evening or early morning.
In the case of snow, pre-established plans and work alongside emergency services and partners help to clear the roads as quickly as possible. The Council’s gritters can be fitted with snowploughs, and it also has agreements with farmers and snowplough operators to remove snow. Priority is given to the primary network, then secondary and minor networks are cleared as resources permit.
Why doesn’t the Council salt every road in Somerset?
Name a road gritter
