Surrey Highways is working around the clock this winter to keep roads safe and traffic moving. Their 24/7 response team is ready to tackle frost, ice, and snow whenever needed. Here’s an overview of where and what gets gritted and what doesn’t plus other useful info…

❄️ How They Prioritise Gritting

Surrey has over 3,000 miles of roads, so the council prioritises which routes are treated first. You can see gritting routes on the Surrey Winter Online Map.

Priority 1 – First to be treated

These roads are gritted before frost, ice, or snow hits:

• All A and B roads, and those with over 8,000 vehicles a day
• Main access to hospitals
• Major bus routes
• Links to neighbouring counties’ gritting routes

Priority 2 – When bad weather continues

Once Priority 1 roads are clear, the teams move on to:

• Roads with over 4,000 vehicles a day
• Access to secondary schools, industrial areas, villages, and railway stations
• Steep roads or bridges prone to icing

Priority 3 – During snow clearing

Access routes to primary schools are added when snow clearing is underway.

High Routes

In the higher areas of east Surrey (around the Downs), extra gritting may take place due to colder conditions. Four vehicles are dispatched from the Godstone depot for these routes.

Where They Don’t Grit

They don’t grit:

• Residential roads (unless on the priority list)
• Alleyways, car parks, or private roads
• Motorways and trunk roads — these are gritted by National Highways, covering the M3, M23, M25, A3, A23 (Hooley), and A30 (Spelthorne).

How To Stay Updated

When gritting is planned, Surrey Highways will share updates via:

• Roadside message signs (e.g. “Gritting from 7pm”)
• Facebook: facebook.com/Surreyhighway
• Roadworks map updates
• Email alerts to stakeholders – such as Limpsfield Parish Council

Stay Informed & Safe

Find out more:

• Where and why they grit
• How gritting works
• Winter safety tips