Staffordshire County Council is preparing a substantial update to its winter roads policy, the first full review in a decade, aimed at prioritising gritting routes according to how they support communities, businesses and access to key services rather than by road class alone.
What is changing
The proposed approach shifts the focus from a purely engineering classification of carriageways to a needs-based assessment. That means decisions on which routes are treated will consider local usage, economic importance and access to essential locations — such as hospitals, schools and public transport hubs.
Council officers told scrutiny members on 21 July that, while the methodology is changing, there are no plans to reduce the overall extent of winter treatment. More than 40% of the county’s road network is currently treated during winter, a figure the authority says remains above the national average.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Current network treated | More than 40% |
| Draft discussed at scrutiny | 21 July 2026 |
| Cabinet decision expected | 16 September 2026 |
| Policy effective from | 19 October 2026 |
Short-term protections and community arrangements
The council has confirmed that no treated routes will be removed for the coming winter (2026/27). A limited number of routes will be retained as exceptions while officers complete further analysis.
The draft policy also updates how additional community grit bins are provided and funded, including arrangements for requests made via local councils.
Local reassurance
“Keeping Staffordshire moving safely during winter is vital for residents, businesses and communities... 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.”
The comment came from Peter Mason, the council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways, who described the plan as "a clearer, more modern and evidence-led way of planning our winter service" and said the update reflects changes in network size and usage since the policy was last reviewed.
What happens now and what motorists should know
The draft was examined by the council’s scrutiny committee on 21 July and is scheduled for a cabinet decision on 16 September. If approved, the new policy will be in place ahead of the winter season start date of 19 October 2026.
- There will be no reduction in the proportion of treated roads for winter 2026/27.
- Route prioritisation will be based on community need and access to key services.
- Local councils can still request additional community grit bins under updated arrangements.
Drivers and residents should continue to plan for winter travel as usual and check the council’s highways pages for any operational updates when cold weather arrives.
The review brings Staffordshire into line with more recent national guidance and aims to align treatment with how the county’s road network is used today. Further details will be published following the cabinet meeting in September.
