Gritting crews from Warrington Borough Council began treating the town’s busiest roads on February 13, 2026, to prepare for a cold snap across Cheshire. The operation started at 18:00 to ensure that critical routes remain safe for drivers and emergency services as temperatures fall below freezing.
A fleet of five gritting vehicles is currently covering five pre-planned paths that include access to Warrington Hospital, high schools, and major bus corridors. The council aims to have these lorries loaded within one hour of a frost forecast, with each route taking around three to four hours to finish.
The salt used on the roads relies on the weight of moving traffic to crush it into a liquid that prevents ice from sticking to the ground. Because of this, road users are warned that icy patches may still remain on the surface until enough vehicles have travelled over the treated areas.
While the main roads are prioritised, secondary routes such as those leading to primary schools and industrial estates will typically only be treated if the cold weather continues for a long period. People heading out on the school run or using residential side streets are encouraged to allow extra time and drive with caution.
The Warrington Borough Council monitors weather conditions 24 hours a day to manage its winter road maintenance. In a normal winter season, the council uses approximately 1,700 tonnes of salt to keep the busiest parts of the local transport network open.
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