Gritter lorry

Local Authorities have a statutory duty to salt the highways under Section 41 (1A) of the Highways Act 1980.

“(1A) In particular, a highway authority are under a duty to ensure, so as far as is reasonably practicable, that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice.”

Maintenance plan

Every year we review our Winter Maintenace Plan which consists of our strategy to lay salt on the boroughs roads and footways.  Copies of our Winter Maintenance Plan can be obtained by contacting us on the details below or downloaded here.

Scope of plan

The scope of Winter Maintenance operations can be described as follows:

  • Precautionary gritting of roads in anticipation of freezing conditions to prevent the formation of ice
  • Continuous gritting of major roads in adverse conditions to enable continued safe usage
  • Gritting of footways and footpaths

Priorities

Carriageway

Major roads

All major traffic and bus routes
Accesses to fire stations, police stations, hospitals & ambulance stations
All steep hills  

Borough roads

Other through routes and hills

Minor roads

The remainder of the road network

Footway

High pedestrian use

Shopping areas, bus stations, railway stations, and other high pedestrian use

Borough footways

Footways in small shopping areas

Minor footways

One footway only on main through routes
One footway only on hills and minor through routes

Gritting routes

Maps reproduced by kind permission of G.I. Barnett & Son Ltd

Salt bins

The Council provides salt bins at strategic locations throughout the borough. We cannot place them everywhere but do try to put them where they are most needed, such as hills. Although we check the bins they do, during cold spells, need refilling at times. If you notice a salt bin needs refilling please call 020 8496 3000. A list of sites can be found in our winter maintenance plan.

Gritting salt

Want to know more?

If you would like to know more about our winter maintenance plan please contact us using the details below.

Contact us

Public Realm
Environment and Regeneration
Low Hall
Argall Avenue
London E10 7AS
email wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk
tel 020 8496 3000