Welcome
On behalf of Councillor Stuart Hughes (Cabinet Member for Highways Management) and Meg Booth (Director of Climate Change, Environment & Transport) we would like to take this opportunity to provide you with a “Welcome to Winter” message and to once again thank you all for your support and availability through last winter.
Devon County Council’s ‘winter service’ formally begins on October 11th and will run until at least mid-April. Winter service is an important part of our maintenance work and involves salting major roads when there is a risk of ice, clearing snow and reacting to floods and fallen trees. |
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Last year saw a particularly mild winter period compared to previous years. In total, for 2023/2024, there were 1,446 runs (the equivalent of treating the county 39 times). This was significantly less than the 2022/23 season, which saw 2,495 runs (equivalent to treating the county 66 times) - the lowest by yearly average for at least the last 8 years.
Despite the reduction in gritting, we faced a number of challenges particularly due to increased amounts of rainfall. February, for example, was the second warmest on record and received more than double the average amount of rainfall for that month.
There were also 11 named storms between September and April, many of which affected Devon and presented challenges around network disruption due to flooding and fallen trees.
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We begin preparations for winter months in advance with Milestone Infrastructure Services Ltd, our term maintenance contractor. |
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As the winter season starts our Devon and Milestone teams are ready to face the challenges this winter may bring. Milestone, has a workforce based at strategic locations to provide an effective response to any problems that may occur.
We maintain a fleet includes 37 front-line gritters, 10 reserve gritters, and various other equipment for snow clearance. We have replaced some of our older gritting vehicles in our fleet with much newer ones, to improve resilience and ensure we are providing the best possible service.
In addition, we have been receiving deliveries of salt to our 13 barns across the County. Our pre-winter stock includes 23,500 tonnes of spreading salt and 1,074 tonnes of brining salt.
It's important that we hold up to date details for you. Please take a moment to complete your details using our online form, even if you believe the details we hold are correct.
If you're no longer a Snow Warden please let us know by email so that we can remove your details from our records.
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We have created free online training for Snow Wardens. Topics include:
- Creating your local Snow Plan
- Risk assessments and staying safe
- Grit bins and salt bags
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If you haven't yet completed this training you can email us to sign up. Once you've signed up you'll be able to order additional salt for your town or parish.
Over 3,500 grit bins are strategically placed for public use during severe weather. Please check the grit bins in your area before the winter season starts rather than during it. Once winter service starts the amount of resource that can be diverted to filling grit bins is limited.
You can use our interactive map to report grit bins
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- with low salt levels
- that are damaged
- where the salt is contaminated or unusable
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Grit bins are an expensive asset in terms of maintenance. If you think you need a new bin we will check if it is possible to re-site an existing bin (if there is evidence to suggest it isn’t being used) first.
Where there are no options to re-site existing bins and we agree a new bin is needed then then this needs to be funded through the local councillor budget (where locality budgets are not available then funding may need to come directly from the Parish or Town Council). The cost remains at £350 which covers the installation, filling and ongoing maintenance costs for the life of the grit bin.
If you would like to request a new grit bin please contact our Customer Service Centre to start the process.
If you have completed your online training you can request up to 5 tonnes of additional salt to use in your town or parish. Please only order salt if you have less than 75% of your salt stock still available.
Devon County Council will provide the additional salt free of charge, however if delivery is refused the Parish/Town Council may be asked to cover any costs incurred as a result of the refusal.
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Listen to local radio for updates on current weather conditions and ensure you are stocked with food and medications.
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Follow @devonalert on social media.
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Consider if your journey is essential and be alert to weather warnings.
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Allow additional time for your journey.
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Never assume a road has been salted. Remember that showers or rain will wash salt off roads leaving them prone to ice, and in extreme cold even salting will not stop ice from forming.
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Drive with care and according to the conditions. Reduce your speed and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front and leave plenty of room if you’re overtaking.
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Be alert to fallen trees and branches, particularly on minor roads where they may not have been reported.
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Never drive through floodwater or swollen flowing water, you don’t know how deep it is. Find an alternative route. |
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