Liverpool Council Issues “Gritting Mythbuster” After Complaints Over Icy Roads
- Safer Highways
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Liverpool City Council has responded to complaints from motorists that some roads appeared untreated during the recent cold snap, sharing a detailed “gritting mythbuster” to clarify how winter road maintenance works.
The council confirmed that 372 miles (600 km) of roads were gritted over the past two days but acknowledged that icy conditions may still have been visible due to the nature of the treatment.
“Once grit salt is laid on the road, it requires traffic movement to help work it into the ice,” the council explained. “When traffic levels are low, roads can remain icy for some time.”
Common Misconceptions About Gritting
The authority highlighted several frequent misunderstandings:
Salt melts ice instantly: In reality, gritting is just the first stage in de-icing. Ice only melts effectively as traffic passes over it, helping to disperse the salt.
Salt prevents all new ice from forming: Salt lowers the freezing point of water, helping prevent ice when temperatures are just below 0°C. However, it loses effectiveness at around -5°C and stops working at -10°C.
Neighbouring Sefton Also Reports Heavy Gritting
Sefton Council, which faced similar criticism, confirmed 290 miles (470 km) of roads were gritted, spreading over 150 tonnes of salt during multiple runs, including three on Sunday alone. A spokesperson noted that grit is most effective down to -5°C, meaning roads reaching -7°C overnight were more prone to ice despite gritting efforts.
Community Grit Bins and Footpath Gritting
The councils also addressed concerns over empty community grit bins. Liverpool has 191 bins across the city, which are refilled twice during the winter season. Residents are encouraged to report empty bins so crews can replenish them promptly.
In addition, crews focus on hand-gritting pedestrian areas in the city centre and other key footpaths, ensuring that both roads and public walkways remain as safe as possible during periods of snow and freezing temperatures.
The council reiterated that weather conditions are monitored 24/7 as part of its Winter Maintenance Policy, and gritting operations will continue over the coming days.