Fewer roads to be gritted in Calderdale area
The council says it's on a precautionary basis this winter to try and save money.
Fewer roads will be gritted on a precautionary basis by a council this winter, in an attempt to make budget savings.
Instead, Calderdale Council will prioritise which routes will be gritted using an assessment process.
And roads which have been removed from the precautionary gritting routes have been assessed for grit bins and those that qualify will receive these in the coming weeks.
Residents of homes along routes which will experience a change in service will receive a letter from the council outlining the changes, also in the coming weeks.
The council is required to make savings of over £300,000 a year from the service to help balance its books under the budget agreed last February.
Its winter service includes gritting, which involves spreading rock salt on roads to prevent ice forming and to melt any existing ice.
The service can cost up to £1.7 million in a typical year, to deliver a service in line with national guidance, its statutory duty and available resources, councillors were told.
The council says all roads on the previous gritting routes across Calderdale have now been assessed, with a risk assessment which prioritises high-use roads, roads that are needed by emergency services, and roads that provide access to community facilities such as hospitals, schools and town centres.
This has reduced the number of roads which will be gritted on a precautionary basis this winter but will still allow the council to meet its statutory duty, says the authority.
The changes will come in on December 1 and a list of which roads are on the council’s gritting routes can be found online at https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/streets-and-transport/winter-service-and-gritting.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet member for Regeneration and Transport, Coun Sarah Courtney, said the council’s priority during wintry weather is to make sure people can travel around Calderdale safely.
“The geography of our borough, with its mix of rural communities and towns means that it’s not possible for us to grit every street and road.
“That means that we must focus on keeping the major routes on the borough’s network clear, targeting council resources where they’re needed most, and meeting our statutory duties as a highway authority,” she said.
Coun Courtney (Lab, Todmorden) said that like the council everyone should also consider how they prepare for winter to keep themselves and loved ones safe.
This could be as simple as checking public transport or postponing a trip until the weather improves, she said.
“We’ve got some fantastic hints and tips on how to stay Winter Wise on our website, whether that’s about how to clear your path or driveway safely, stay warm during cold weather or keep an eye on vulnerable neighbours,” she said.
The council will review the winter service plan again in Autumn 2025, before the start of the 2025-26 winter season.