Winter is Coming: Gritting team gear up to keep North East Lincolnshire moving

As the cooler weather creeps in and the days get shorter, North East Lincolnshire Council is gearing up for the 2025/26 winter season, ready to keep roads safe and communities connected.

The official winter service season kicked off on 1 October 2025 and runs through to 30 April 2026, depending on how the weather unfolds. Last winter, our highways team carried out 60 precautionary gritting treatments, spreading 1,340 tonnes of grit across the region. The salt barn (where the grit is kept) at Gilbey Road is being restocked and will be topped up as needed throughout the season.

The annual gritting service is delivered by North East Lincolnshire Council and during the season, our team of decision makers will review daily reports from our forecasting service. Each forecast will contain information on minimum temperatures and any expected winter hazards such as frost, ice or snow. From this, a decision will be made whether to grit the boroughs roads that night.

The council maintains and is responsible for 607km (377 miles) of road and 869km (540 miles) of footpaths across North East Lincolnshire. Of this, 285.35km (177 miles) are gritted during the winter period. This length includes the treatment of both carriageways on wide roads and dual carriageways. It takes around two and a half to three hours to complete a full gritting run using a fleet of five vehicles.

In the coming weeks, you might spot the gritters out on trial runs. These are essential to ensure all equipment is working properly and the drivers are familiar with their routes before the first frost hits.

Why do we grit?

Gritting helps prevent ice and frost from forming on the roads, reducing the risk of accidents and keeping traffic flowing. When snow is forecast, our teams also grit to help stop it settling, making it easier for everyone to get where they need to go.

Our dedicated gritter drivers are on standby throughout the season. Each driver follows a carefully planned route, but they can also be called out at short notice to respond to changing conditions, even in the middle of the night.

Be Prepared for winter driving

As temperatures drop, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is winter-ready. Here are some top tips:

• Check your screen wash, tyres, and anti-freeze.
• Keep de-icer, warm clothing, food, and water in your car.
• Always check the weather forecast before travelling.
• Sign up for Met Office cold weather alerts: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/cold-weather-alerts

If you must travel in snowy or icy conditions:

• Slow down and increase your stopping distance — it could take up to 10 times longer to stop.
• Avoid harsh braking, sharp steering, and sudden acceleration.
• Keep your fuel topped up and your windows clear.
• Use dipped headlights to improve visibility.
• Watch out for hidden icy patches, especially under bridges.

Help them to help you

To keep the gritters moving safely and efficiently:

• Pull over safely if a gritter is behind you.
• Park close to the kerb or on your drive to allow gritters to pass.

For more information about local gritting routes and winter weather advice, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/winter.

The latest updates on gritting treatments in North East Lincolnshire can also be found on the council’s Facebook page.