Wiltshire’s 24 gritters ready to tackle winter weather

Wiltshire Council has confirmed that its fleet of 24 gritters is ready for the winter season, with thousands of tonnes of salt available to help keep the county’s roads safe as temperatures begin to fall.

The council’s highways teams are preparing for the colder months, when frost, ice and snow can create challenging conditions for motorists and other road users across Wiltshire.

Last winter, gritting crews were called out 41 times, spreading approximately 4,500 tonnes of salt and treating around 31,000 miles of road throughout the county.

To prepare for the coming season, the council has around 11,500 tonnes of salt stored across six locations in Wiltshire. These supplies will be used when weather forecasts indicate that road temperatures are likely to approach or fall below freezing.

The council uses detailed weather forecasts, including information about predicted roadside temperatures, to determine when gritting is required. Treatments are generally carried out after the evening rush hour or before the morning commute, when icy conditions are more likely to develop.

However, not every road in Wiltshire can be treated. Due to the size of the county’s road network, the council prioritises key routes, including major A and B roads and other important local roads. This approach aims to ensure that most residents are within a reasonable distance of a treated route.

Motorists are being reminded that many smaller roads are not routinely gritted. Drivers should not assume a road has been treated and should always adjust their speed and driving to suit the weather and road conditions. Some routes may only receive treatment during prolonged periods of severe winter weather.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said the 24 gritters were positioned at strategic depots across the county and ready to respond when conditions required it.

He said the priority was to keep Wiltshire’s key routes safe and usable during winter weather, with major A and B roads treated first because they carry the highest volumes of traffic.

Cllr Thorn also thanked the council’s highways staff, who work around the clock in difficult conditions throughout the winter to help keep residents, businesses and communities connected.

In the coming weeks, residents may see gritters carrying out pre-winter test runs across Wiltshire. These exercises allow teams to check that vehicles and salt-spreading equipment are working correctly while helping drivers familiarise themselves with their treatment routes before winter conditions arrive.

The council also maintains more than 1,600 salt bins for use on public roads and footpaths. These allow residents and road users to help tackle localised icy conditions where additional treatment may be needed.

Winter-related highways issues, including requests concerning salt bins, can also be reported through the weather emergency section of MyWilts.

Further information about gritting routes, winter road maintenance and snow clearance is available on the Wiltshire Council website.