Blackburn with Darwen gritting teams ready for winter with 3,500 tonnes of salt

Blackburn with Darwen Council has stocked 3,500 tonnes of salt and placed its gritting crews on round-the-clock standby as preparations get underway to keep the borough’s roads safe this winter.

The council’s winter maintenance service officially began on Monday 26 October, with highways teams ready to respond whenever freezing temperatures, snow or ice threaten local roads.

Since 1 October, winter maintenance teams have been closely monitoring weather conditions using information from 14 weather stations across Lancashire, helping them prepare for changes in temperature and potentially hazardous driving conditions.

Which roads are gritted in Blackburn with Darwen?

The council treats approximately 160 miles of the borough’s 340-mile road network, concentrating on priority routes including:

• Main roads and major routes
• Bus routes
• Roads providing access for emergency services
• Steep hills and other priority locations

The M65 is maintained separately by National Highways.

To keep roads moving during colder weather, the council has four operational gritters, a reserve vehicle and a dedicated team of supervisors and drivers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

There are also almost 450 grit bins located across Blackburn with Darwen, providing additional support for local communities.

With 3,500 tonnes of salt already in stock, the service is prepared to respond when severe weather arrives.

Community volunteers helping to keep neighbourhoods safe

The council’s winter response is also supported by its Grit Squad scheme, which brings together community-minded residents who volunteer to help keep their neighbourhoods safe during severe weather.

Last winter, more than 50 Grit Squad volunteers supported the council’s efforts, treating local areas and helping residents during periods of snow and ice.

367 gritting runs completed last winter

Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Executive Member for Growth and Development, said:

“As we enter the winter maintenance season, our highways teams are ready to respond whenever cold weather arrives.

“Keeping residents safe and maintaining access on our road network is a huge operation. Our crews monitor conditions throughout the winter and can be called out at any time of the day or night when treatment is needed.

“Last year alone, our teams completed 367 gritting runs, spreading over 1,000 tonnes of grit to keep key routes safe, and we are fully prepared to respond again this winter whenever conditions require it.

“While it isn’t possible to grit every road in the borough, we have robust plans in place to focus on key routes and keep Blackburn with Darwen moving during periods of snow and ice.

“I’d also like to thank our fantastic Grit Squad volunteers who continue to support their communities during severe weather. Their efforts make a real difference and are a great example of community spirit in Blackburn with Darwen.”

Find gritting routes and grit bins near you

Residents can check which roads are included in the council’s winter gritting programme, find nearby grit bins and access advice about travelling safely during winter weather.

Details are available on the council’s website:

https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/roads/managing-our-roads/winter-gritting-services

Residents are also encouraged to help keep roads safe by allowing gritters to pass when it is safe to do so, using grit bins responsibly and preparing for winter conditions in advance.

Anyone with questions or concerns about the winter maintenance service can contact the council’s highways team at WinterMaintenance@blackburn.gov.uk.