This is a repeat (slightly updated) of my article of 09/11/05. I feel this is timely in view of the current weather conditions.
Winter maintenance of the roads is the responsibility of the County Council. They have identified a network of major roads that they will try to keep open in snowy or icy conditions. The map of these roads can be accessed at www.nottscc.gov.uk/saltingroutes.pdf (3.2 Mb).
In Keyworth, the roads designated for gritting are Station Road, Nicker Hill, Willowbrook, Selby Lane, Bunny Lane, Nottingham Road, Normanton Lane and Wolds Drive.
The roads NOT designated for gritting include Fairway, Manor Road and Debdale Lane, even though these are bus routes. This list also includes Main Street. The County Council's policy regarding buses in poor conditions is that the bus companies are expected to find other routes if their normal routes are impassable. For example, the Trent Barton buses might have to continue all the way up Wolds Drive if Fairway is blocked by snow.
The overall aim of gritting in Keyworth is keep open the routes northwards to the A606 via Plumtree and westwards to the A60 near Bunny and Bradmore. There are no plans to keep open the routes to the south and east of Keyworth.
During winter, the County Council will pay continuous attention to the weather forecasts and will send out the gritters each night when ice or snow are expected. If the whole of the County's grittable road network is treated, the process will take about three and a half hours and 200 tonnes of salt. Not all roads might be treated if the forecast indicates a need for partial action.
Special notes about pavements (added 04/02/09)
(1) The County Council will not normally grit pavements except in shopping centres (or other exceptionally busy areas) in extreme conditions.
(2) If you slip on an icy pavement and injure yourself, you can try suing the County Council for damages. However, a court is likely to reject your claim if it feels that the County Council did all that was reasonable and practical in the circumstances.
(3) If you clear the pavement in front of your home, please be aware that (in theory) you could be liable for any accident as a result of people slipping on the surface that you have left. My advice (which is given without any legal liability on my part) is that you should either make a really good job of clearing the pavement or leave it alone.
