Residents offered free grit to use if cold snap arrives

Although Londoners have enjoyed a prolonged spell of mild weather in recent weeks, temperatures will undoubtedly fall over the winter months and so the council is once more offering borough residents up to 50 kilos of grit free-of-charge to help them clear frozen footpaths.

Last year around 20 tonnes of grit were given to residents, community groups and neighbourhood watch co-ordinators.

When temperatures plummet and roads and footpaths are covered in snow and ice the council’s fleet of gritting vehicles and dozens of staff are dispatched to clear it away, but with nearly 230 miles of road surface and 450 miles of pavements it is a mammoth task that always takes time to complete.

When there are cold and icy snaps, local people often contact the town hall to volunteer to clear paths in their neighbourhoods, which is why free grit is being offered to residents.

Where to pick up grit

Residents who want to take advantage of the offer should visit the council depot in Dormay Street between 9am and 12 noon on Saturday 16 November and Saturday 23 November.

The depot’s postcode is SW18 1EY for people using sat-navs.

You will need bring proof of address to show you live in the borough.

The council is also supplying sacks of grit to Wandsworth’s 200 neighbourhood watch co-ordinators and filling up grit bins across the borough so that local people have an immediate stock close at hand.

There are now 55 of these bins located around the borough, situated mainly in hilly areas where icy pavements can be particularly treacherous.

When snow has fallen, the priority is to keep the borough’s main roads clear of ice so that the emergency services and public transport can keep running. Particular attention is always paid to entrances at tube and rail stations, hospitals, day centres, schools, care homes, clinics and nurseries.

The gritting of borough red routes and their adjoining pavements is managed by Transport for London - these include the A3, A24, A205, A214, A306, A3205 and A3220.

Find the location of your nearest salt bin. For more information about the free grit offer, call (020) 8871 6750.