Who is Responsible for Gritting: Roads, Pavements & Carparks

Every year, gritters take to the roads with the aim of preventing injuries, collisions, and dangerous driving conditions. Icy roads contribute to thousands of accidents annually, often leading to the question: who is responsible for gritting roads, pavements, car parks, and other private roadways?

For business owners and landowners, there is a duty of care on your land to prevent unwanted risks due to ice and snow for visitors and users of the land, including car parks and other roads. Failing to meet this duty could result in legal liability if someone is injured on your property. 

Being prepared against winter risks is critical to business continuity, especially if you work in healthcare, construction, rail (and transport), leisure and hospitality, and many more sectors.

Who is responsible for gritting roads?

Road gritting responsibility falls to one of three groups:

• Highways Agencies (Highways England, Highways Scotland, etc.)
• County councils
• Private owners of roads

The level of responsibility varies based on factors such as the type of road, traffic volume, and the road’s significance.

Gritting major roads (motorways and major A roads)

Major roads are critical for national connectivity, so the responsibility for gritting motorways and major A roads falls to Highways Agencies, such as Highways England. These agencies ensure that high-traffic routes are gritted promptly to maintain safety and prevent delays. In London, Transport for London manages gritting for trunk roads that feed into the major road network.

Gritting the minor road network

Minor roads, including smaller A roads and essential B roads, are often the responsibility of local authorities, such as county councils. Roads leading to emergency services, like A&E and fire stations, typically receive Priority One or Two gritting status. 

Local councils or their subcontractors handle this maintenance, ensuring important routes remain accessible during winter weather. Businesses near these roads may experience safer and quicker access during icy conditions.

Gritting local roads

Local roads in residential areas are generally not a priority for gritting unless they serve key access points such as schools, railway stations, or medical facilities. In these cases, local councils may grit the roads or provide grit bins for local residents to manage the conditions themselves. Parish councils might also assist in gritting residential streets based on local needs.

Who is responsible for gritting pavements?

The responsibility for gritting pavements typically falls to the owner of the road or land where the pavement is located. If a local council is responsible for gritting a road, they will often aim to spread grit onto the adjacent pavement as well, ensuring safer conditions for pedestrians. However, pavement gritting is not always guaranteed and may depend on the availability of resources and the level of foot traffic in the area.

In some cases, especially near high-traffic areas like schools or medical facilities, local councils may provide grit bins, allowing residents or institutions to manage the gritting of pavements themselves. Private landowners are responsible for gritting pavements on their property, such as those leading to private car parks or businesses, to prevent accidents during icy conditions.

Who is responsible for gritting private car parks?

Private car parks, as they are usually located on private land, fall under the responsibility of the property owner or business operator. For example, a company operating multiple car parks, such as a hospitality chain, must ensure that these areas are properly gritted to prevent potential accidents and liabilities due to icy conditions.

In the case of council-operated car parks, the local council or the appointed car park manager will typically handle gritting. However, for privately owned car parks, businesses should consider engaging professional gritting services to maintain safe driving and walking conditions for customers, employees, and visitors, especially during severe winter weather. This proactive approach not only reduces risk but also ensures compliance with the business’s duty of care obligations.

Where a business relies on key roads for access, larger roads may benefit from professional gritting services to ensure consistent safety. For smaller roads or private car parks, using grit bins may be a more suitable option, allowing staff or visitors to manage the conditions as needed.

Ultimately, businesses have a duty of care to all those accessing their premises. As winter approaches and accidents become more common due to snow and ice, proactive preparation—including regular gritting—can be crucial in mitigating risks and ensuring smooth operations, especially in high-traffic areas.

Understanding Gritting Duty of Care

All landowners and occupiers have a duty of care to ensure the safety of visitors on their premises, especially during winter months. This responsibility includes being prepared for adverse weather conditions, such as snow and ice, by implementing appropriate gritting measures to reduce the risk of accidents.

Whether in retail, construction, or transport, the responsibility for maintaining safe access points, including roads, pavements, and car parks, lies with the business or landowner. Ensuring a winter risk assessment is in place, monitoring weather conditions, and planning gritting strategies are essential steps for fulfilling this duty of care.

Supporting Your Gritting Needs: How Grounds Care Group Can Help

At Grounds Care Group, we have years of experience assisting businesses with their winter duty of care, providing professional and cost-effective gritting solutions, as well as advice and snow-clearing services. 

Our expertise spans various sectors, including retail, sports, property management, and education, ensuring that businesses are well-prepared for unpredictable weather and challenging road conditions.

We have long-standing contracts with numerous businesses, helping them maintain safe and accessible workplaces throughout the winter months. Get in touch with us today to discuss your duty of care and how we can support your business needs.