Priority Routes

Sheffield's priority routes cover 59% of the total road network, we call it the precautionary salting network and it is based on national criteria. The network covers 9 primary routes (402km) and an additional 18 secondary routes (757km).

 

The primary routes are: the main roads which link cities together; road links which have more than just local significance; the main public transport corridors and roads serving important industrial establishments, hospitals, ambulance and fire stations.

 

The secondary routes are: important distribution roads; those leading to schools, bus garages, villages and known trouble-spots; roads serving shopping centres; busy commuter roads and important bus routes.

 

We aim to get the primary routes completely salted in three hours and get the secondaries covered before the morning rush hour starts.

 

Footpaths, Cycleways and Minor roads: if weather conditions are so bad that all resources have to be kept on the precautionary salting network, the minor roads, cycleways and footpaths would then have to wait and be done on a responsive basis only but small quantities of salt can be purchased from the council for personal use by contacting the Helpline on 0114 273 4567.

 

Footways and cycleways are prioritised in line with their usage and location. Priority is given to the City Centre, major shopping areas and to maintain access for and to:

 

 

But people can help themselves. Up to last winter there were 1400 grit bins provided across the city, most of them on minor roads, footpaths and pedestrian areas for people to use on a self-help basis. So you could use a shovel and spread some salt on the roads and pavements and help the community.

 

This winter a further 50 new grit bins will be provided following requests from the public last year.

 

It is very difficult to target frail, elderly and disabled residents directly as they live in all parts of the city but, when the weather is very bad, we respond to their calls for help in clearing footpaths and minor roads as a priority as far as possible.

 

The council's winter road maintainance service does not extend beyond the maintainable public highway: any requests for ice and snow clearance from property owned by Sheffield Homes should be made to your local housing office.