Cheshire East Council says its highways teams are ready for winter with 21 gritters, more than 5,200 tonnes of salt and crews on standby to respond to severe weather.
The preparations cover prolonged rainfall, storms and flooding as well as snow and ice. Teams will monitor forecasts and road conditions throughout the winter season.
The council’s 17 pre-planned gritting routes cover around 40 per cent of the borough’s road network. They prioritise key roads according to traffic, safety and access to essential services, rather than treating every street.
Leaving space for gritters
Residents are being asked to park considerately, particularly on narrow roads where vehicles can prevent gritters getting through.
The council says local conditions can vary substantially, with higher ground along the Pennine fringe sometimes facing snow and ice while lower-lying parts of the borough experience different weather.
Councillor Mark Goldsmith, cabinet member for highways and transport, said teams review detailed weather and road information to target their response. Treatment is often preventative, taking place before ice forms.
He urged drivers to plan ahead, allow extra journey time and drive according to the conditions.
Grit bins and route information
Around 500 grit bins are available across Cheshire East for localised icy patches on public roads and pavements. Their contents must not be used on private driveways or other private property.
The council’s winter-maintenance webpage provides route maps, grit-bin information and a link to live gritter tracking. It also warns motorists not to assume a road is free from ice simply because gritting has taken place.
The authority says it will work with emergency services, the Environment Agency and other partners to respond to severe weather and limit disruption.