Which roads are gritted?
If ice and/or snow are forecast, we prioritise all other A roads together with certain B roads and other roads for gritting. These roads are called the precautionary network (P1).
The adverse network (P2) covers certain links to villages not on the precautionary network (P1) and also certain bus routes and industrial estates.
Trunk/major roads (e.g. M1, A14, A45, A5) are gritted by the Highways Agency.
View these roads on a map
You can use our interactive mapping to view the area around a specific location. Click one of the links below, enter the postcode in the search box and click “Find”.
When are they gritted?
See our Twitter gritter for the latest on salting/gritting across the county.
The aim is to treat Priority 1 (P1) roads before the morning peak traffic time, though the target time for action otherwise depends on forecast and conditions. The P1 precautionary treatment network is 45% of the total road network.
Where the forecast weather is that conditions are unlikely to improve for at least 48 hours, that is the temperature is unlikely to rise above freezing within that period, gritting will only be carried out on the Priority 2 (P2) network if the Priority 1 (P1) network does not require treatment.
You can now view information from the 5 Northamptonshire's roadside Weather Stations (along with several other authorities).
Never assume a road has been gritted
Very occasionally gritting arrangements do not go to plan. You should never assume that a road has been treated but should drive in accordance with the prevailing conditions.
Please remember that the majority of minor roads will receive no treatment at all.
Are pedestrian and cycle routes treated?
- In severe weather conditions, snow or ice may remain for some days, and treatment will be carried out in co-operation and assistance from the Local Borough / District Councils.
- Consideration is given, in priority order, to the treatment of pedestrian and cycle routes, in particular the routes in the main shopping and pedestrian areas of a town.
Safer Winter Driving
You can download the "Safer Winter Driving in Northamptonshire" leaflet below:
Cross-border arrangements
We have arranged reciprocal agreements with some adjacent Highway Authorities whereby they will carry out precautionary treatment on certain roads in Northamptonshire and vice versa.
These roads are treated on the decision of that particular Highway Authority and thus there may be a difference in the timing of the treatment.
This arrangement has allowed greater efficiency in the winter service operation and permits a more extensive network to be treated.
Back to: main Salting/Gritting page