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Local winter maintenance plan

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WSCC gritting agreements

West Sussex County Council (WSCC) have identified gritting routes on their Precautionary Salting Network which is divided into Priority 1, 2 & 3 roads.

  • Priority 1: Primary Roads main A & B road network (as defined in the West Sussex Local Transport Plan), approaches to Hospitals, Ambulance and other Emergency Services. There are no priority 1 roads in Donnington.
  • Priority 2: Remainder of the A and B road network not treated as Priority 1. There are priority 2 roads in Donnington.
  • Priority 3: All other roads that make up the Precautionary Salting Network that is not a Priority 1 or 2. There is one Priority 3 routes in Donnington shown on the map below.

Highways England are responsible for gritting the A27 and footbridge.

Routes not identified on the Precautionary Network will not be treated.

Parish council salting arrangements for snow

To help with the roads and pavements that are not gritted and are areas of concern, the Parish Council has grit bins of salt available when snow is forecast for use by residents to hand salt themselves. The grit bins are located at the Co-Op on Stockbridge Road and near the canal on the B2201 Selsey Road for use by resident in Donnington Village. The salt is intended for use on pavements and roads and not on private property.

Although the Parish Council will ensure salt supplies are available for when snow is forecast, they are not directing residents to spread the salt and this will purely be down to the individual to act on their own initiative for the benefit of the wider Community. When applied, the salt/grit mix forms a brine solution which freezes at a lower temperature than rainwater and grit helps provide traction when spread on top of compacted snow and ice. The mix can therefore be used as a precautionary measure and also on snow and ice.  The Parish Council only has sufficient stock of salt to deal with snow, if roads are particularly icy, please contact WSCC Highways directly and report dangerous roads to WSCC via Love West Sussex under the Winter Maintenance category. (See section 1)

Clearing your path or driveway – the snow code

Clearing snow and ice from the pavement outside your home or public spaces can help prevent slips and falls. Here’s some handy advice issued by the Department for Transport.

Don’t be put off clearing paths because you’re afraid someone will get injured. Remember, people walking on snow and ice have a responsibility to be careful themselves. Follow the advice from the  Department for Transport below to make sure you clear the pathway safely and effectively. And don’t believe the myths – it’s unlikely you’ll be sued or held legally responsible for any injuries if you have cleared the path carefully.

Clear the snow and ice early in the day

It’s easier to move fresh, loose snow rather than hard snow that has packed together from people walking on it. So if possible, start removing the snow and ice in the morning. If you remove the top layer of snow in the morning, any sunshine during the day will help melt any ice beneath. You can then cover the path with salt before nightfall to stop it refreezing overnight.

Clear and prevent slips

•    Pay extra attention to clearing snow and ice from steps and steep pathways – you might need to use more salt on these areas.
•    Use salt or sand – not water. If you use water to melt the snow, it may refreeze and turn to black ice. Black ice increases the risk of injuries as it is invisible and very slippery.
•    You can melt snow or prevent black ice by spreading some salt on the area you have cleared. You can use ordinary table or dishwasher salt – a tablespoon for each square metre you clear should work.
•    Be careful not to spread salt on plants or grass as it may damage them.
•    If you don’t have enough salt, you can also use sand or ash. These won’t stop the path icing over as effectively as salt, but will provide good grip underfoot.

Take care where you move the snow

When you’re shovelling snow, take care where you put it so it doesn’t block people’s paths or drains. Make sure you make a path down the middle of the area to be cleared first, so you have a clear surface to walk on. Then shovel the snow from the centre of the path to the sides.

Offer to clear your neighbour’s path

If your neighbour will have difficulty getting in and out of their home, offer to clear snow and ice around their property as well. Check that any elderly or disabled neighbours are alright in the cold weather. If you’re worried about them, try contacting their relatives or friends, or if necessary the local council.

The Parish Council considers the following to be problem areas:

•    Pathways/carpark around The Co-Op
•    Pathway/carpark around the Parish Hall
•    Pathways around Stockbridge Place shops