Gritting

There are nine gritting routes, which together cover 56% of the borough’s road network – a total distance of 348 miles, or 560km.

Visit our exceptional weather and gritting updates page for the latest gritting information.

Check our online maps to see gritting routes and location of your nearest grit bin.

To find the gritting information follow the steps below.

• Enter your postcode and choose Search.
• Select your property.
• Then click on the Icon.
• In the list that is presented tick Grit Bins and Gritted By.
  

The map will refresh to show you grit bin locations and gritting routes.

The aim is to maintain an effective transport system in Solihull for commuters and commerce by gritting main and important routes throughout Solihull in accordance with our Winter Service Policy. There are over 200 self help grit bins placed around Solihull for members of the public to use in severe weather conditions.

Where we grit? 

Gritting priority is given to Strategic routes, principal and important roads, and bus routes.

In prolonged periods of lying snow/ice, estate and minor access roads in hilly or exposed locations will be treated, and consideration given to important footway routes (e.g. shopping precincts etc). These locations would only be considered when conditions dictate and when all other priorities had been fully and adequately treated and resources become available.

When we grit?

We are recipients of a specialised winter weather forecasting service provided by the MeteoGroup. The forecast, received on a daily basis, gives predictions of the possibility of freezing road temperatures, snow etc, and the time those conditions may occur.

More weather information is available from MeteoGroup

In addition, throughout the winter season, an inspector is employed to check the accuracy of the forecast by measuring road surface temperatures. This enables decisions to be made if, or when gritting is necessary.

Do you provide grit bins?

There are currently over 200 grit bins throughout Solihull in areas not normally subject to mechanical treatment, at hilly, exposed locations and potentially dangerous road junctions. They are re-stocked with salt when needed.

Requests for the provision of a grit bin are assessed and judged against a criteria which can be found on our Winter Plan. They are only provided if full justification can be shown. To request a grit bin, contact us on 0121 704 8004 or use our Contact Us Form.

How to report a grit bin is empty?

During the winter we will restock grit bins with salt when needed and when resource becomes available. To report an empty grit bin, contact us on 0121 704 8004 or use our Contact Us Form.

Where can I use the salt from the grit bin?

Salt from grit bins should only be used on the public highway and must not be used for gritting on private land. Residents who use the salt from grit bins for private land are warned that police treat such use as theft, and will act accordingly if they feel necessary. Salt can be purchased from most garden centres for gritting on private land.

Can a Grit bin be removed?

Grit bins are placed for reasons of safety and therefore will not be removed. Due to financial constraints bins will be left out on site all year round.

Are pedestrian routes gritted?

Pedestrian routes are gritted only in town centres and on main pedestrian routes.