Staffordshire drivers face a rethink of winter gritting
By the demoduck.co.uk News Desk
Staffordshire’s existing gritting routes will remain unchanged this winter while the county council undertakes its first full review of the network in 10 years.
No currently treated routes will be removed for the winter season beginning on 19 October. Staffordshire County Council also says it has no plans to reduce the proportion of the road network receiving treatment.
A decade of changing road use
The review will examine whether Staffordshire gritting routes still provide effective access to communities, businesses and other key destinations. The council maintains more than 4,200 miles of highway and says usage patterns have changed significantly since the routes were last reviewed.
More than 40% of the county’s road network is routinely treated as a precaution during winter. The remaining roads may receive reactive treatment during prolonged ice or snow when resources allow.
Community access to shape future routes
Future route priorities will be based on how roads support communities and the local economy, rather than principally on their road classification. The council says this reflects changes to government guidance introduced since its current policy was published.
Councillor Peter Mason, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for strategic highways, said the review was intended to reflect changing road use while keeping the county moving during difficult conditions.
The revised policy will also update arrangements for community grit bins funded by local councils. Staffordshire holds 21,400 tonnes of salt capacity, including a strategic reserve of 5,000 tonnes. Contracted farmers and specialist snow equipment can support council crews during significant winter events, when resources are directed towards key strategic routes.
Cabinet decision due before winter operations begin
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Council source update published | 8 September 2026 |
| Cabinet consideration | 16 September 2026 |
| Winter season begins | 19 October 2026 |
A draft of the policy went before the county council’s scrutiny committee in July. If cabinet approves it on 16 September, the updated policy will take effect before winter operations begin, without altering currently treated routes for the coming season.
Source: Staffordshire County Council Newsroom
Context & actions About this article
Source check Source trail
Dates, network figures and the position on existing routes were checked against Staffordshire County Council’s published update.
- Confirmed that currently treated routes will remain in place for the coming winter.
- Checked that cabinet consideration is scheduled for 16 September 2026.
- Confirmed that the winter season begins on 19 October 2026.
- Checked the stated salt capacity and strategic reserve figures.
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- Staffordshire County Council Newsroom
- Scope
- Staffordshire
- Updated
- 2026-09-09 19:03
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