Winter gritting

What we use to treat the highway

We use dry rock salt to treat the roads.

Salting occurs when the temperature is expected to drop below 1°C and frost or ice is forecast.

Roads that will be gritted

We prioritize gritting the following roads:

main roads and highways
roads to hospitals, fire stations, and emergency centers
roads connecting villages
roads to fuel and food sources
bus routes (including school buses)
industrial estate roads
main roads in towns
other important routes

For more details, check our Winter Service Operational Plan.

Gritting routes

We treat our gritting routes before icy conditions are expected.

Our four main routes are:

High Route 1: Resolven, Tonna, Cimla, Afan Valley
High Route 2: GCG, Ystalyfera, Crynant, Banwen, Glynneath
Low Route 1: Port Talbot, Margam, Aberavon, Baglan, Briton Ferry, Neath
Low Route 2: Fabian Way, Llandarcy, Skewen, Bryncoch, Pontardawe

During long periods of ice, we continue treating these routes. When snow is forecast, we clear key roads first, like those to hospitals and emergency centres.

When we grit

We grit from mid-October to mid-April. We check the weather daily with live updates from five stations.

We salt roads before frost or ice and keep treating them if it stays icy. This process takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Pavements and cycle routes

Pavements or cycle routes are not usually gritted before snow or ice, except in town centres.

During long periods of ice or snow, we treat busy footpaths near schools and hospitals.

We avoid salting over level crossings to prevent signal problems.

Winter fleet

We have 6 spreader vehicles for the four main routes and a dedicated vehicle for the A465. The 6th vehicle is a backup.

In 2020, the public named five of these vehicles:

Justin Non-sliperic
Gareth Spreadwards
Richard Brrrrrton
Bonnie Tyre
Michael Gritter Ma-Sheen

Contingency plans for grit levels

Sharing supplies and equipment

We share grit and equipment with other councils if we run low or if severe weather hits.

The neighboring councils we coordinate with include:

Carmarthenshire CC
Powys CC
Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC
Swansea CC
Bridgend CBC

Salt stock management

Salt levels are constantly reviewed as we aim to keep salt stocks at 1.5 times the average use over six years.

We have a new salt barn at the Service Response Centre, The Quays, with a capacity of 7,500 tonnes of rock salt.

Clearing snow and ice

Always consider your health and safety. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear. If you have health problems, ask for help from neighbours

The Department for Transport offers the following advice:

clear snow early - it’s easier to move fresh, loose snow
avoid using water - it might refreeze and turn to black ice
use salt - it melts ice or snow and prevents refreezing overnight. (Don’t use salt from salting bins; it’s for roads.)
use ash or sand - if you don’t have enough salt, these can provide grip
be careful on steps and steep paths - use more salt for extra safety

The Department for Transport says you likely won’t be sued if someone gets hurt on a path you cleared carefully.

Grit bins

Grit bins are placed for use during severe weather. They are filled before winter, monitored, and replenished as needed.

Usage guidelines

Use the salt in grit bins for public roads and footpaths only.

Do not use it for private driveways, car parks, or other non-public areas.

For private use, you can buy salt from local builders’ merchants. They usually offer delivery.

Find a grit bin

Find grit bins near you

Empty or damaged grit bins

You can report empty or damaged grit bins online.

You can track your report if you have a myNPT account. Your details fill in automatically when you’re signed into myNPT.

Before you start

We will need:

your name
your address
your contact details
details about the problem

Report a grit bin problem