The roads and footpaths Newcastle prioritises for gritting as temperatures plummet

Winter is officially here as temperatures drop below freezing, covering roads and footpaths with a blanket of frost, ice and snow . Travelling can be a nightmare once the cold sets in as roads can become treacherous and footpaths can be lethal.

Thankfully, Newcastle City Council has plans to keep the city working when it gets cold. These priority roads, called winter routes , are major roads and bus routes throughout the city and each has its own gritter .

Footpaths in very busy areas of the city, including shopping and business areas , will be treated, too. Newcastle City Council says the treatment “will commence when frost or ice is present on the footpath and is expected to last 48 hours or more.”

Read more: North East weather LIVE: Updates as Met Office issue warnings for snow and ice

It is possible to make a request for a road or footpath to be gritted. However, the council is eager to remind people that they cannot grit the entire network or respond to every request.

Roads to be gritted across Newcastle

There are 600 miles of roads in the city. As a result, not every road can be gritted, however, the city council’s priority map includes key roads including the central motorway, the Coast Road and Scotswood Road.

This map shows the roads identified as the priority routes, with main roads and bus routes included.

This map shows the priority roads that will be targeted by the council's gritters as the weather hits freezing (Newcastle City Council)

Footpaths to be gritted across Newcastle

Footpaths in the city are only treated after frost, ice or snow lies on the pavements, rather than before it arrives. They are divided into three categories, each with a different level of traffic.

The “prestige walking zones” are described as “very busy areas of the city centre, with high public space and street scene contribution”. This category includes:

• Northumberland Street

• Barras Bridge

• Bigg Market

• Blackett Street

• Clayton Street

• Cloth Market

• Collingwood Street

• Dean Street

• Eldon Square - Entrances

• Gallowgate

• Grainger Street

• Grey Street

• Groat Market

• Mosley Street

• Percy Street

• Pilgrim Street, Northumberland Street - Subway

• Market Street

• Nelson Street

• Neville Street

• Blue Carpet to Eldon Square

• Newgate Street

• Northumberland Place

• John Dobson to Northumberland Street

• Nun Street

• Prudhoe Place

• Pudding Chare

• Queen Victoria Road – Hospital Entrance

• Sandyford Road

• Saville Row

• Side

• St Marys Place

• St Thomas Street

• Stowell Street

• Swing Bridge

Primary and secondary walking routes are described as busy urban shopping and business areas and outer area shopping centres and will be treated during working hours. These categories include public areas such as high streets, stations and hospitals.

Using grit bins

If you have a grit bin close to your house, you can use the salt on public paths and roads in the surrounding area. They are provided to help keep housing estates, cul-de-sacs and lanes clear but should not be used on private property.

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