Oxfordshire County Council sent out its full fleet of gritters to treat priority roads across Oxford and the surrounding area starting at 23:00 on February 13, 2026. This action was taken as temperatures on the road surface dropped below freezing following a series of wintry showers.
The council focused its efforts on approximately 1,200 miles of the busiest routes, which make up about 43 per cent of the total road network. These priority routes include main A-roads, busy bus routes, and essential access roads for hospitals and emergency services.
While the main roads have been treated, more than 1,800 miles of minor roads and nearly all pavements will remain untreated. Drivers and pedestrians are being told to take extra care on these surfaces throughout the morning of February 14, 2026, as ice is likely to persist in residential areas.
The gritting operation involves a fleet of 30 specialised vehicles, many of which were named after famous figures such as Agatha Gritstie and Inspector Norse. Each salting route is expected to take around three hours to complete from the time the vehicles leave their depots.
