Keeping roads open is a major priority for the council during the winter months.

Use ‘My Maps‘ to find out where the main gritting routes are in Monmouthshire.

Precautionary Presalting

In practice this is achieved by pre-salting certain routes in advance of icy conditions

1. All principal (Class 1), non-principal (Class 2) and most rural Class 3 roads as well as busy and strategically important streets in the principal towns have been identified for scheduled precautionary salting within the County.
2.  A total length of 525 Km, which represents approximately 33% of the total length of publicly maintained highway is pre-salted;  when temperatures and conditions require, the target time for the treatment of these routes is 3 hours.
3. Salt bins are strategically placed around the county for residents to use on walkways and side roads in their local areas. The council is reminding residents to use the salt responsibly – a thin layer, spread evenly on ground that has been cleared of any deep snow is usually all that is needed to be effective. All salt bins have been checked and refilled ready for winter, and the salt in these bins is for use on public footways and roads only, it is not for use on private drives and footpaths.

Snow Clearance Routes

The following priority order will be adopted for the clearance of extensive ice and snow:

1. Major County roads Class 1, 2 and 3 (described as Priority 1 and 2 Routes for Pre-salting)
2. Other routes known as urgent medical and important industrial routes
3. Bus Service Routes
4. Access to private dwellings where a need is identified by the local NHS board and indicated in communications during the winter season. e.g. hospital dialysis required by resident. Other Class 3 and unclassified roads giving access to villages
5. Roads serving isolated farms and houses
6. Other roads.

Driving in winter

• Drive slowly, with smooth, gentle application of accelerator, steering and, particularly, brakes
• Beware of black ice. If the vehicle starts to skid, gently lift off the accelerator and steer in the direction of the skid
• If the road has not been gritted, be wary of driving in the wheel tracks of other vehicles as it is likely to be more icy
• In poor visibility use dipped headlights. Take particular care to watch for snowdrifts. Watch out for cyclists and pedestrians.
• Allow plenty of time for your journey and make sure you have a full tank of fuel.
• Make sure your windscreen and windows are clear and make sure the windscreen washer bottle regularly topped up, and contains the correct ration of screen wash
• Make sure you carry a spade, wellies, torch and a mobile phone. Keep a bottle of water and high-energy food in case you break down. Carry extra clothing, including a warm coat, gloves and hat
• Winter maintenance vehicles are extremely powerful so maintain a safe distance behind them, and take great care when overtaking