Has my road been gritted? How gritting works, and claiming from the council after an ice accident

Car News11/13/2026
Has my road been gritted? Gritting routes and council claims | Rooster

When temperatures drop, councils send out gritters, but not to every road. Main routes are treated first, while many side streets and rural lanes are left untreated. That is why one road can be clear while the one round the corner is a sheet of ice.

This guide explains how gritting works, how to check whether a road has been treated, what the law requires of councils and whether you can claim if you have an accident on ice.

Last updated 9 November 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.

Key takeaways

  • Councils grit a network of priority routes, usually main roads, bus routes and roads to hospitals, schools and emergency services.
  • National Highways treats motorways and major A roads in England. Transport Scotland, the Welsh Government and DfI Roads cover trunk roads elsewhere.
  • Most councils publish gritting maps, and many post live updates on their websites or social media.
  • In England and Wales, councils must ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that safe passage is not endangered by snow or ice. It is not a duty to grit every road.
  • Claims against councils are possible but hard to win. You will usually need strong evidence.

In this guide

How gritting works

Gritting, or salting, means spreading rock salt on the road. Salt lowers the temperature at which water freezes, which helps stop ice forming and helps melt ice and snow that has already settled. The grit also adds a little grip.

Councils usually grit before ice is expected, often in the evening or early morning, based on road weather forecasts. Salt needs traffic to work it in, and heavy rain can wash it away. In very low temperatures, salt becomes much less effective.

Which roads get gritted?

Each highway authority decides its own gritting routes based on risk. Priority routes usually include:

  • A roads and main B roads
  • bus routes
  • routes to hospitals, fire and ambulance stations
  • roads to schools and major employers
  • steep hills and known trouble spots

Residential side streets, cul-de-sacs and quiet country lanes are often not treated unless there is prolonged snow.

How to check if a road has been gritted

  • Search your council’s website for its winter maintenance or gritting page. Most publish a map of gritting routes.
  • Follow your council on social media, where many post when gritters are going out.
  • Check National Highways for motorways and major A roads in England.
  • Look for grit bins at the side of the road. Councils often provide them on untreated hills and junctions for residents to use on the road and pavement.

If you think a road should be gritted, or a grit bin is empty, you can report it to your council.

What the law says councils must do

In England and Wales, section 41(1A) of the Highways Act 1980 says a highway authority must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice.

The key words are reasonably practicable. Councils are not expected to grit every road, every time. Courts look at whether the council had a sensible winter plan and followed it. In Scotland, a similar duty is set out in section 34 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.

Can you claim from the council after an ice accident?

You can try, but these claims are difficult. You would usually need to show the council failed to do what was reasonably practicable. Examples might include:

  • the road was on a priority gritting route but was not treated, with no good reason
  • the council knew about a specific, recurring ice hazard, such as a burst water main or blocked drain, and did nothing
  • the council ignored its own winter plan

In one 2020 High Court case, a council was found two-thirds responsible for a crash on black ice caused by a water leak, after it could not show why a gritter had not been sent out. The court also said it was for the council to prove it had taken reasonably practicable steps.

If you want to make a claim, gather evidence straight away:

  1. Photos of the road surface, the ice and the location.
  2. The date, time and temperature.
  3. Names and contact details of witnesses.
  4. Any reports of previous problems at the same spot.
  5. A copy of the council’s gritting routes and winter plan.

Then contact the council’s claims department, and consider getting legal advice.

What about your car insurance?

Even if the road was not gritted, insurers expect drivers to adjust their driving for icy conditions. If you slide into another car, you will usually be found at fault. Our guide to whether car insurance covers accidents in snow and ice explains more. The process is similar to claiming for pothole damage.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the salt from a grit bin on my driveway?

Grit bins are for public roads and pavements, not private driveways. Buy your own rock salt for private use.

Can I be sued for clearing snow outside my house?

There is no law stopping you clearing snow and ice from the pavement outside your home. If you do, take care: use salt or sand, and do not use water, which can refreeze into black ice.

Why was the road icy even though it was gritted?

Salt can be washed away by rain, may not work in very low temperatures and needs traffic to spread it. Treat gritted roads with caution too.

Sources and further reading