Twenty-nine per cent drop in number of days councils spend gritting

There was a 29% drop in the average number of days councils in the UK spent gritting roads between winter 2017/18 and winter 2019/20, according to new research by Citroën UK.

A Freedom of Information Request to UK councils found the average number of days each council gritted roads in the country fell from 74.0 to 52.5 between 2017/18 and 2019/20, representing a 29% reduction.

This is despite the freezing temperatures in 2018, which were the harshest winter conditions recorded since 2010, according to the Royal Meteorological Society.

Research by the Asphalt Industry Alliance also shows an average annual road maintenance budget shortfall of £4.9 million per local highway authority in England and Wales in 2020, with councils in need of further funds to maintain roads.

Councils in the north of the country were found to be most active, with Scottish Borders Council spending on average 203 days of the year gritting roads over the three-year period, while Northumberland County Council spent 144 days in total on the task.

Just over half of the councils that answered the Freedom of Information Request told Citroën UK they had specific Snow Routes in place, which receive priority treatment during periods of heavy snowfall and sustained periods of freezing temperatures.

Eurig Druce, Managing Director of Citroën UK, said: “Driving during the winter months is more of a challenge with shorter daylight hours and difficult weather conditions making the roads more dangerous. As a brand, we are committed to providing customers with cars that are safe and easy to drive, which is why our models offer a range of driver assistance systems including Grip Control® with Hill Descent Assist, for added peace of mind.”