Gritting Policy - Keele University
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Winter Maintenance Gritting Policy

Winter Maintenance Period

During winter months the University has a prioritised maintenance procedure in place for Salting and Snow Clearing.  The maintenance season starts at the beginning of november to the end of March annually.

Introduction

The decision making process falls into 2 stages.  The first stage is to decide whether a 'stand-by' is necessary, this is usually made at lunchtime.  The second stage is whether to salt a whole route, part route or to stand down.  This must be made between 15:30 or 05:00 hours.

Every time it snows the response is adjusted to meet the circumstances and as a consequence decisions need to be made at the time will be based on the prevailing conditions. 

Decisions to treat roads are taken carefully to ensure road safety, but also to avoid unnecessary gritting.

Priority 1 : Main Access Road from the A525 Roundabout

Priority 2 : Academic Buildings, Student Halls & Restaurants, Staff Housing

Priority 3 : Pedestrian Footways, Steps, Shops, Banks & Supermarket

Priority 4 : Observatory Hill & Reservoir (Diary Walk)

Self-help Salt Bins

18 rock salt-bins are provided for public and staff use at strategic locations throughout the University, such as known frost pockets, steps to buildings, steep gradients and disabled access.  They are all checked on a monthly frequency during the gritting period and refilled as necessary.

Exceptional Circumstances

No matter how accurate the forecast, there are situations where we cannot pre-salt the campus roads prior to icy conditions.  Such conditions are

  • When rain is followed by rapidly clear skies, salting will start after the rain has stopped to avoid the salt being washed away into the drainage system.
  • The temperatures can fall as much as 5 C per hour and the wet roads may well freeze before we have chance to grit them.
  • When dawn frosts occur on dry roads and early morning dew develops, this falls on cold roads, and then freezes on impact.  It is impossible to forecast with any accuracy where and when it will occur.
  • When rain turns to snow coinciding with the start of a normal (Mon - Fri) working day, early gritting cannot take place as it would be washed into the drainage system.

Reporting Problems

By telephone

  • Office hours 01782 583 137
  • For urgent problems outside of office hours please contact 01782 583 004 (Security)

By e-mail