Highways Winter Service Policy

Name
Highways Winter Service Plan
Summary

​​​​The purpose of this policy is to clarify the standards and the extent of the winter service that we provide on the highway network and to set out the principles that we use to meet our obligations and duties in respect of the Winter Service. It identifies the criterion for the categories of the highway network that is treated, and the priority system used for treatments. This policy is intended to ensure that there is a uniform and consistent level of service throughout the borough.

The objectives of the Winter Service, so far as is reasonably practicable, are to:

  • Ensure the safer movement of vehicles and pedestrians on the highway network.
  • Minimise delays, accidents and damage to the highway resulting from ice and snow.
  • Undertake the Winter Service effectively and efficiently according to network hierarchy and severity of weather conditions within the limitations of finite resources, financial constraints and legal requirements.

The Winter Service season runs annually from mid-October for a period of 26 weeks until mid-April. Provision of Winter Service may be advanced, deferred, extended or curtailed if weather forecasts indicate that it would be prudent to do so.

How to report problems with roads

You can report problems and damaged roads by completing our online forms:

How we communicate our winter plans

Our Winter Service communications strategy ensures all relevant stakeholders, including residents, staff and councillors are kept up-to-date with relevant information. This communications framework is implemented by our communications team and adopted as a model for information sharing by partners and the media. The strategy sets out clear aims, objectives and priorities for communication updates, alerts protocol and communications channels that will be adopted to make sure crucial information can be received by those audiences needing it in an efficient manner.

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Document type
Policy
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