During snowy and icy weather we aim to keep our main roads and highways as safe as possible by:

• monitoring specialist weather forecasting and ice prediction systems 24 hours a day
• remotely monitoring road conditions from strategically located weather stations, as well as driving our road network, if necessary, to determine what action needs taking
• preparing spreading routes with neighbouring local authorities
• maintaining a spreader fleet on standby 24 hours a day, stock 2800 tonnes of 6mm dry rock salt at the start of the winter season, and prepare 177 grit bins in strategic locations
• spreading salt and/or grit on a predetermined precautionary treatment network (approximately 45% of the road network) when weather conditions dictate
• identifying a smaller 'high risk' network (approximately 21% of our roads), which will be treated first during more extreme winter weather and used for snow ploughing
• manually gritting pavements at strategic locations, such as travel interchanges, if resources are available
• informing emergency services of our actions during more severe conditions
• encouraging self-help and neighbourly cooperation in dealing with local problems

Watch our YouTube video about how we keep our roads safe during the colder months.

What we cannot do

We are unable to:

• treat all the roads in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, as this is beyond our resources or that of any local authority
• treat footways all over Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole - in extended periods of snow and ice, only major pedestrian routes for example, town centres and travel interchanges will be treated on a priority basis and as resources allow
• ensure that any road or footway is free of snow or ice - whether treated or not many factors affect the effectiveness of salt for example traffic, temperature, and the ability to spread it such as traffic congestion and rainfall
• provide salt or grit, even though public assistance and cooperation is welcomed