1. Winter Gritting

2. Road Network in Barnet  Over 700 km of roads and 1400 km of footways in Barnet  Almost impossible to provide resources to deal with all road network

3. Statutory Duty  The duty of a highway authority to remove snow and ice from the highway is provided by sub-clause 41(1A) of the Highways Act 1980:- “(1A) In particular, a highway authority are under a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice.”  The Highway Authority does have a duty, subject to the limitation of “so far as is reasonably practicable”, to remove snow and ice that accumulates on the highway. The definition of “highway” includes carriageways, footways and cycleways within the highway boundary.

4. Road Priorities Priority 1 Roads- Approx 240km or 35% of network Principal Roads, main commuter routes, bus routes and roads providing access to the emergency services. Priority 2 Approx 170km or 25% of network Roads in the vicinity of shopping centres, public transport stations, public buildings, schools and roads with steep gradients. Priority 3 Remaining roads & footways Priority 1 roads are regularly gritted (precautionary gritting) Priority 2 roads are gritted mainly in times of snow (post gritting) and only after priority 1 roads have been treated and found to be safe.

5. Priority 1 Roads  The Priority 1 roads have been split into 8 routes so that these can be completed in 2 hours when spreading 20 gr/m2. In 2004 these Priority 1 routes were “thermally mapped” and optimised to maximise the efficiency of the gritting operations and allow an earlier start on Priority 2 and 3 roads in severe weather conditions.  Two of the 8 routes cover the coldest and more exposed areas of the Borough (hilly, northern areas) and other areas that are subject to ground water seepage. These two routes are also known as “Cold or Seepage Routes” which are prioritised on marginal nights, thereby creating operational and environmental savings.  The Council has 9 dedicated gritting vehicles, as well as one small demountable gritter which adequately cover these routes.

6. Facts and figures this year P1 roads treated 49 times P2 roads treated 4 times P3 roads treated once Seepage routes treated 5 times Salt used so far this season 2492 tons P1 routes 1715 tons P2 routes 115 tons Grit bins ( 380 number) 320 tons Assist refuse collection 200 tons Gritting Town Centres 98 tons One –off gritting requests 44 tons Current stock salt 1319 tons, amongst the highest in London

7. Community Keepers Pilot Scheme One of the recommendations of the Task & Finish Group – Council’s Overview & Scrutiny arrangements A pilot scheme with 4 community keepers & 3-4 schools Community Keepers: To distribute the salt equitably amongst fellow residents during severe weather and eliminate the misuse of salt. In exchange of your time Council provides –salt -wheel burrows -snow shovels - snow clearing advice & training –weather forecast advice

8. Legal Advice to Residents Clearing snow and ice from pavements yourself There's no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your home or from public spaces. It's unlikely you'll be sued or held legally responsible for any injuries on the path if you have cleared it carefully. Follow the snow code when clearing snow and ice safely. Community Keepers and all volunteers will be covered by the Council’s insurance provisions.

9. Snow /Ice clearing tips Clear snow early in the day, whilst fresh Snow becomes hard when walked on & overnight Apply salt before night to prevent refreezing Use salt or sand not water Pay extra attention on steep footpath /steps When moving snow do not block paths Offer to clear neighbour’s path