Our winter maintenance service
The main priority of our winter maintenance service is to make our roads safe for public use. We also aim to minimise delays and the subsequent economic impacts of winter weather.
The winter maintenance service we deliver
We carry out the following winter maintenance activities on our roads:
- “Pre-salting” to help stop ice forming.
- “Post-salting” to melt ice and snow already formed.
- Snow ploughing and snow blowing to remove snow.
- Maintaining salt bins.
Salting
Over one quarter of our network is pre-salted as a precaution when ice and snow is predicted. These priority roads are referred to as our defined network. Our defined network includes:
- all ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads
- localised high risk sites and important access routes
- major town centre shopping areas
- heavily used pavements and cycle routes
Follow the link to view a map of our defined network. Please be aware that many rural roads in Shropshire are not treated.
If heavy snow is forecast, pre-salting may be extended to include other main roads, town and large village centres, and industrial estates.
It is impossible to keep Shropshire’s roads “ice free”. Rain or ground-water can freeze anytime of the day. Snow can become compacted and make roads hazardous to drive on. Post-salting is carried out to melt ice on the roads in these conditions.
Snow clearance
Snow over 50 mm deep is removed by ploughing. Ploughing is undertaken in priority order; beginning with the defined network. At least one main access route to towns and large villages will be made “passable with care”, as soon as practicable, after snow fall.
Snow blowers will be deployed to remove heavy snowfall during severe weather.
Weather forecasts
The Meteorological Office use roadside sensors to provide us with 24 hour weather forecasts and predictions of ice and snow on Shropshire’s roads. Follow the link on this page to view the latest weather forecast from the Met Office.
Volunteer snow wardens also report on ice and snow conditions within their parishes.
How our winter maintenance service is organised
Our winter maintenance service is coordinated by officers located in five divisional offices across the county. Divisions receive weather forecasts and notify our contractor, Enterprise, if winter maintenance is needed; this may be at any time of the day or night.
Salting vehicles are normally on the roads within one hour of notification and salting completed within three hours.
Please note the Highways Agency is responsible for the maintenance of trunk roads and motorways. Telford & Wrekin Council maintain roads in their area.
