Staffordshire’s gritting routes are to undergo their first major review in 10 years, and we want to hear from Stone residents about the roads and locations they think need another look.
Staffordshire County Council is reviewing its winter routes to reflect changes in how roads are used and to place greater emphasis on access to communities, businesses and key locations.
There will be no immediate changes to currently treated routes for the coming winter.
Under the proposed new approach, decisions about which roads should be prioritised would focus more on the communities and places they serve, rather than simply the classification of the road.
The county council says it routinely treats more than 40 per cent of Staffordshire’s road network as a precaution during winter. Other roads can be treated during prolonged periods of ice and snow where resources allow.
The authority says there are no plans to reduce the overall amount of the road network being treated.
The review will also cover arrangements for additional community grit bins funded by local councils.
Residents can see which roads are currently included, along with grit bin locations, using the Staffordshire County Council gritting map.
The council has capacity for 21,400 tonnes of salt, including a 5,000 tonne strategic reserve. During significant winter weather, resources are prioritised towards key routes, with contracted farmers and specialist snow equipment also available.
Peter Mason, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways, said
“Our crews always do an amazing job to keep the county safely on the move during the winter months.
“We maintain more than 4,200 miles of highways, and over the past 10 years usage levels have changed significantly. It’s therefore sensible to ensure our policies reflect these changes, serve our communities and, crucially, keep Staffordshire moving.
“No currently treated routes will be removed for the coming winter, and we will continue to support road users when conditions are challenging.”
The draft winter policy was considered by a county council scrutiny committee in July and is due to go before cabinet on Wednesday 16 September.
If approved, the policy will be in place before the winter season begins on Monday 19 October, although changes to the existing treated routes will not take effect this winter.
What would you change in Stone?
Gritting routes regularly generate plenty of discussion locally, so we want to hear what Stone residents think should be considered as part of the review.
Are there roads, hills, junctions or routes around Stone that you think should be prioritised for gritting but currently are not?
Are there particular locations where a grit bin would make a difference?
Or has the way people travel around Stone changed over the past decade in a way the current routes do not reflect?
