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# County council planning changes to policy on gritting and winter maintenance of local roads
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/county-council-planning-changes-to-policy-on-gritting-and-winter-maintenance-of-local-roads/
- Published: 2026-07-22T07:05:43.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-22T07:05:42.000Z
- Description: Routes will be chosen based on new criteria rather than classification of carriageway.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Transport, News, Politics

A REVIEW has been carried out on how gritting and winter maintenance are managed on local roads.

Staffordshire County Council said it was the first "in-depth" examination of the policy in ten years.

The new proposals would see routes prioritised based on how they support communities, the economy and provide access to key places, rather than what class of road they are.

Council chiefs say no treated routes will be removed for this winter, with a small number kept as exceptions while further work is carried out.

The new policy will also update arrangements for additional community grit bins funded by local councils.

The draft proposals were discussed at a scrutiny committee meeting and will go before the authority’s cabinet in September.

If approved, the new policy will be in place before the winter season starts on 19th October.

Cllr Peter Mason, Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for strategic highways, said:

> "Keeping Staffordshire moving safely during winter is vital for residents, businesses and communities.  
>  
> "This updated policy gives us a clearer, more modern and evidence-led way of planning our winter service.  
>  
> "Our network has expanded and the usage levels have changed significantly in a number of areas over the last ten years. This update reflects these changes and provides for a more up-to-date approach to better align with these changes across the network.  
>  
> "I want to reassure residents that treated routes will not be removed for the coming winter, and we will continue to support road users when conditions are challenging."