Our gritting team roll out across the county’s key routes when temperatures reach below zero or when ice is predicted to form. Our team is here to make roads safer and keep us all moving.
Read below to get a step-by-step breakdown of our gritting process – and check out our video to hear from Tom Vesty, highways manager.
It's cold outside
The temperature is monitored 24/7 during the winter months with the team looking out for the possibility of freezing road temperatures and snow. It’s also important to check what time these conditions are expected
Spreading out across the county
We have five gritting barns located at key points around the county. If gritters are scheduled to go out, team members arrive at which depot they have been assigned to – this could be at our depots in Market Harborough, Misterton, Nailstone, Mountsorrel and Melton
True grit
The team will then load up their vehicles with grit from the barns
The grit escape
The team hit the roads typically between 6pm-10pm depending on the temperature. They aim to get out before the sub-zero or snowy weather is expected to arrive.
All gritters will leave their barn at the same time – and then follow their designated route on the gritter’s sat nav.
There are 17 set routes that each driver will follow. This includes three in Market Harborough, three in Misterton, four in Nailstone, four in Mountsorrel and three in Melton
We will rock you
Rock salt is spread out of the back of the gritters. The rate and speed of spraying is controlled by an electronic system in the gritter. Drivers can also adjust the width and the angle of delivery according to the kind of road they are on and the weather conditions.
We grit 48% of our road network, making sure we tackle the heaviest used routes. It's not possible for gritters to spread salt on every road in the county. If you live on a small side road for example, one of our gritters would not be able to fit down there! Gritters are wider than bin lorries and weigh tons.
View our interactive gritting map and find out more on the process on our website.
If you want to lend a helping hand to your local village or town when it is looking particularly snowy, why not apply to be a snow warden? Snow wardens can help clear paths and refill local salt bins. Contact your local parish or town council to see if there are vacancies.