Winter gritting

What the Council uses 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 centers.

Other roads and footpaths will be cleared as we can.

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 centers.

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 4 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

Each vehicle covers specific routes. Michael Gritter Ma-Sheen covers High Route 2, including Cwmtwrch, where Michael Sheen lives.

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

Stocking and requests

Stocking - grit bins are stocked throughout the winter season.
Requests - to request a new grit bin, contact your local Councillor.

Usage guidelines

Public use only - use the salt in grit bins for public roads and footpaths only.
Private use - 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.

Finding and requesting a grit bin

Placement - grit bins are placed for use during severe weather. They are filled before winter, monitored, and replenished as needed.
Requesting a bin - to request a grit bin for your street, contact your local Councillor. You can find their details on our ‘Find your Councillor’ page.

Remember, the salt in these bins is for public use only. For private roads and properties, purchase salt from local builders’ merchants.