Torbay Council

Cookie Policy

Gritting


Severe Weather Reports

Our Highways teams are constantly monitoring the weather and salting primary and secondary routes across Torbay where necessary.
The Council is reassuring motorists that its winter maintenance team are monitoring conditions 24/7 but also warns that although salt can be a huge help, it is not a cure.
For more information visit the Met Office - South West Forecast opens in a new window website and our Winter Gritting page.
Follow us on Facebook or Twitter using the links above to receive the latest updates.
Gritting priority is given to three types of roads/routes and based upon the recommendations contained in a National Code of Practice.
Treatment of Priority C locations will only be considered when conditions dictate and when all other priorities have been fully and adequately treated and resources become available.
We also have measures in place to start snow ploughing on priority roads when 30mm of snow has fallen, and continues to fall.

When to Grit

We receive  a specialised winter weather forecasting service provided by MeteoGroup opens in a new window. This daily forecast gives predictions of the possibility of freezing road temperatures, snow etc, and the time those conditions may occur. In addition, throughout the winter season, an inspector is employed to check the accuracy of the forecast by measuring road surface temperatures. This enables decisions to be made if, or when gritting is necessary. Our aim is to treat all Priority networks by 7.30 am.
By mid-afternoon, arrangements will have been set in place for the following evening/morning and we will publish details via our Facebook and Twitter pages.  You can follow us on Facebook for all of our council updates or you can follow us on Twitter, where you can keep up to date with the latest gritting news and join in the conversation by using the following hashtags: #torbay #gritting
For those of you who do not have access to these sites, we will also publish live feeds on this page so you can still follow the latest news. These feeds will only appear on this page when appropriate.

Grit Bins

There are currently 142 grit bins throughout Torbay in areas not normally subject to mechanical treatment, at hilly, exposed locations and potentially dangerous road junctions. They are restocked with salt when needed.
Requests for the provision of a grit bin are assessed and judged against a criteria. They are only provided if full justification can be shown.

Removal of Grit Bins

Often grit bins become the focus of vandalism or the meeting place for youths. If this becomes an unbearable nuisance, a request for the bin to be removed can be made. The agreement of other residents in the area would be needed before the facility is withdrawn.

Pedestrians Routes

In very severe weather conditions, especially when snow or ice may remain for some days, consideration is given, in priority order, to the treatment of pedestrian routes - footways and pavements in accordance with our maintenance hierarchy order.

Clearing Snow and Ice from Pavements Yourself

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

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