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Regular and detailed weather forecasts predict the conditions on Dudley's roads. This helps us to make decisions about when and where to salt on our routes.

We aim to grit our main network of roads before the onset of any hazardous conditions, although this sometimes isn't practical.

Weather Watch

We work hard to ensure our services continue to run during the winter period. However, some services might be affected by severe weather. To keep up-to-date with the latest information, visit our Weather Watch page

Gritting enquiries

We carry out precautionary salting on the roads if we are expecting the road surface to reach freezing – or if the snow is forecast.

  • If you wish to report an issue with gritting and snow clearance please contact us.

Please note that if your enquiry is to request a new grit bin or to remove a grit bin, you will need to complete and attach the correct form from below.

Road gritting

Regular and detailed weather forecasts predict the conditions on Dudley's roads. They help us to make decisions about when and where to salt on our routes. We aim to grit the main network of roads before the onset of any hazardous conditions. This however isn't always practical.

During periods of very bad weather gritting the routes may take longer than usual. We'll use all our resources to clear the main routes and the remaining routes in priority order.

As this may take a number of days the weather may have improved and conditions cleared before we are able to complete work on all routes.

Our teams are on stand-by to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the winter service period.

Grit bins

There are 1,090 grit bins throughout the borough. Bins are usually sited on minor roads not included in the Principal Road Network. These are considered potentially hazardous. For example they may have particular features such as a steep hill or an elderly people’s home.

Grit bins are also provided to enable members of the public to grit roads and footpaths at known trouble spots. Like junctions or roads that are steep. The grit is not for use on private driveways and property.
 
Grit bins are placed on site well in advance of the winter period. They are regularly checked and restocked and when necessary.

Removal of grit bins

Grit bins will be removed from their location:
  • where there is proof of misuse of the salt
  • where residents cannot agree a location or need
  • where bins suffer continued vandalism
New grit bins (or relocation of an existing grit bin) will be agreed through consultation with residents before installation. If a suitable location cannot be agreed then a grit bin may not be provided.

Servicing of grit bins

Grit bins will only be placed where they can be easily refilled from a lorry parked alongside.
 
Grit bins will be refilled as soon as possible after a period of heavy use. Given the large number of bins this process can take time. Bins will only be refilled when time allows following a snap of cold weather.

Winter weather

British winters are not predictable. This can cause us a real problem as bad weather can strike suddenly and severely. It doesn’t have to be very cold for the road surface to freeze. In winter road surface temperatures can be up to 4 degrees colder than the air temperature.

At all times our first priority is your safety. We aim is to keep delays and accidents caused by wintry conditions to a minimum. We attempt to ensure that major roads are treated with salt as a precaution against the possibility of ice patches forming or snow accumulating.

Winter motoring

In winter it is even more important to check that your vehicle is well maintained and serviced.

  • Ensure your lights and mirrors are clean and free from ice and snow before you set off and that they remain so throughout your journey.
  • Keep your battery fully charged.
  • Add anti-freeze to the radiator and winter additive to the wind screen washer bottles
  • Make sure your wipers are in good condition.
  • Check tyres have plenty of tread depth and are maintained at the correct pressure.
  • Hail, rain and heavy snow reduce visibility, use dipped headlights and reduce your speed.
  • It can take ten times longer to stop in icy conditions than on a dry road, so please drive slowly, allowing extra room to slow down and stop.
  • Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin.
  • Manoeuvre gently, avoiding harsh breaking and acceleration.

To get more advice about winter motoring, visit out winter motoring page.

Snowbusters

Our Snowbusters scheme offers free Snowbusters packs to anyone happy to help neighbours, or local communities to clear paths, walkways or drives of snow and ice during wintry weather.

The packs contain a snow shovel, high visibility jacket, five litre bag of salt and a salt spreader. There is also guidance on snow clearing and manual handling.

Simply call the council’s Winter Warmth helpline to request a pack.