Winter Gritting

Road Network in Barnet

Over 700 km of roads and 1400 km of footways in Barnet

Almost impossible to provide resources to deal with all road network

Statutory Duty

Statutory Duty

The duty of a highway authority to remove snow and ice from the highway is provided by sub-clause 41(1A) of the Highways Act 1980:-

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

The Highway Authority does have a duty, subject to the limitation of “so far as is reasonably practicable”, to remove snow and ice that accumulates on the highway. The definition of “highway” includes carriageways, footways and cycleways within the highway boundary.

Road PrioritiesPriority 1 Roads- Approx 240km or 35% of network

Principal Roads, main commuter routes, bus routes and roads providing access to the emergency services.

Priority 2 Approx 170km or 25% of networkRoads in the vicinity of shopping centres, public transport stations, public buildings, schools and roads with steep gradients.

Priority 3Remaining roads & footways

Priority 1 roads are regularly gritted (precautionary gritting)

Priority 2 roads are gritted mainly in times of snow (post gritting) and only after priority 1 roads have been treated and found to be safe.

Priority 1 Roads Priority 1 Roads The Priority 1 roads have been split into 8 routes so that these

can be completed in 2 hours when spreading 20 gr/m2. In 2004 these Priority 1 routes were “thermally mapped” and optimised to maximise the efficiency of the gritting operations and allow an earlier start on Priority 2 and 3 roads in severe weather conditions.

Two of the 8 routes cover the coldest and more exposed areas of the Borough (hilly, northern areas) and other areas that are subject to ground water seepage. These two routes are also known as “Cold or Seepage Routes” which are prioritised on marginal nights, thereby creating operational and environmental savings.

The Council has 9 dedicated gritting vehicles, as well as one small demountable gritter which adequately cover these routes.

Facts and figures this year

P1 roads treated 49 timesP2 roads treated 4 timesP3 roads treated onceSeepage routes treated 5 timesSalt used so far this season 2492 tons P1 routes 1715 tons P2 routes 115 tons Grit bins ( 380 number) 320 tons Assist refuse collection 200 tons Gritting Town Centres 98 tons One –off gritting requests 44 tonsCurrent stock salt 1319 tons, amongst the

highest in London

Community Keepers Pilot SchemeOne of the recommendations of the Task & Finish Group –

Council’s Overview & Scrutiny arrangements

A pilot scheme with 4 community keepers & 3-4 schools Community Keepers: To distribute the salt equitably amongst

fellow residents during severe weather and eliminate the misuse of salt.

In exchange of your time Council provides–salt-wheel burrows-snow shovels- snow clearing advice & training–weather forecast advice

Legal Advice to Residents

Clearing snow and ice from pavements yourself

There's no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your home or from public spaces. It's unlikely you'll be sued or held legally responsible for any injuries on the path if you have cleared it carefully. Follow the snow code when clearing snow and ice safely.

Community Keepers and all volunteers will be covered by the Council’s insurance provisions.

Snow /Ice clearing tips

• Clear snow early in the day, whilst fresh• Snow becomes hard when walked on &

overnight• Apply salt before night to prevent refreezing• Use salt or sand not water• Pay extra attention on steep footpath /steps• When moving snow do not block paths• Offer to clear neighbour’s path